SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane City Council passed an ordinance that will change the way the city manages large construction projects.
The “Public Dollars for Public Benefit” ordinance passed during Monday night’s City Council meeting with a vote of 4-3, with Council President Wilkerson and Councilmembers Bingle and Cathcart voting against.
The ordinance requires all contractors bidding on city construction projects over $5 million to sign community workforce agreements that mandate union representation.
It also prioritizes hiring residents in “economically distressed areas.”
Those against the ordinance argued it would reduce competition and drive up construction costs.
“The labor movement has been at the forefront of fighting for better wages and working conditions for workers. I’m proud to co-sponsor this ordinance encouraging priority hiring practices for contractors to provide quality pay and benefits and making sure our public dollars benefit our local economy first and foremost,” said Council Member Zack Zappone, co-sponsor of the ordinance. “Dollars from these public works projects will provide Spokanites with living wages that reinvest in our local economy.”
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
