The Walrus and the Carpenter (4743 Ballard Ave. NW) will reopen after Sea Creatures and the union representing workers reached a collective bargaining agreement, ending a labor dispute that led to an eight-day strike and the temporary closure of the Ballard restaurant.
Sea Creatures announced Saturday that it had reached a collective bargaining agreement with United Creatures of the Sea covering employees at The Walrus and the Carpenter, Barnacle and General Porpoise.
“After more than sixteen months of bargaining, we’re grateful to have found a path forward together,” the company said in a social media post. Sea Creatures also thanked employees, guests, the community and members of both bargaining teams, saying it looks forward to reopening the restaurant.
United Creatures of the Sea announced Thursday that the two sides had reached a tentative agreement Wednesday evening. The union said workers voted to ratify the agreement Thursday, ending the strike and offering to return to work Friday.
In its announcement, United Creatures of the Sea also thanked community members and restaurant industry workers for supporting employees throughout the strike. The union said donations to its strike fund helped workers replace lost income while they were off the job. The fund was established to help cover expenses such as rent, groceries, transportation and medical costs during what the union described as an unfair labor practice strike.
The strike began June 18 after more than a year of negotiations over a first union contract. The Walrus and the Carpenter temporarily closed on June 23, with restaurant management citing safety concerns related to the picket line.
According to the terms of the agreement reported Friday, The Walrus and the Carpenter will move from its previous 22% service charge model to a service charge of no more than 6%, with employees retaining all tips beyond that fee. The two-year agreement also includes changes to wages, paid time off, retirement and other employer-funded benefits to reflect the new compensation model.
The agreement also covers employees at General Porpoise locations in Pioneer Square and South Lake Union. Negotiations between Sea Creatures and the union continue for workers at Jeffry’s, another Sea Creatures restaurant.
The Walrus and the Carpenter reopened to customers on June 24 following the temporary closure and is now returning to normal operations under the new agreement.
Photo: United Creatures of the Sea