Labor dispute
who were the workers working with
Space Needle
In 2012, the union workers of the Space Needle started working without a contract when the current contract expired. The workers, working with the union, Unite Here Local 8, have entered into contract negotiations with the owners. The owners have made it clear that they don't want to extend a contract with the workers or the union because of terminology used in the contract. The Space Needle believes it offered employees enough security under past contracts without explicitly promising no subcontracting, which is what the workers want in the new contract. This would likely limit the company's ability to hire workers on a needed basis such as peak seasons or special events. But instead of striking this item from the contract, Unite Here has pushed for picketing outside of the Space Needle on a weekly basis until such contract terms are accepted. In 2013, federal mediation was set to begin between workers and the owners of the Space Needle.