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IAM District W24 members have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year labor agreement with Weyerhaeuser, securing major economic gains for 1,160 union members across Washington and Oregon while marking a historic milestone for the bargaining unit.
The agreement represents the first time contracts between the union and the company have been negotiated, presented to members, and ratified before the expiration of the previous agreement, which was set to expire on June 1, 2026.
The settlement covers 14 individual contracts involving members from IAM Locals W130, W246, W261, and W536 working across sawmills, trucking operations, export yards and logging camps throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Union leaders credited member solidarity, strategic bargaining pressure, and lessons learned from a historic strike four years ago for helping secure the agreement. That strike — the first work stoppage for these locals in more than three decades — established leverage that carried into the current negotiations.
“This agreement shows what can happen when members stay united and engaged throughout the bargaining process,” said Brandon Bryant, District W24 President and Directing Business Representative, following ratification.
The contract includes an 11% total wage increase over the life of the agreement, along with a $3,000 signing bonus for members upon ratification. The deal also locks in healthcare costs with only minimal increases while strengthening pension and retirement benefits.
Additional improvements include increased flexibility in vacation scheduling and expanded bereavement leave language that now covers sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, while allowing members more time to utilize leave benefits.
“Weyerhaeuser IAM members wanted key family and financial issues addressed in the contract,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “With a clear voice they achieved those goals with help from District W24, the Western Territory and the International. We’re proud of our entire Weyerhaeuser membership at District W24.
Negotiators also reached agreements on attendance policies, overtime regulations, and shift differential issues as part of the final package.
“Strength and power were with this negotiating committee during the whole process,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. “The Committee told the company they needed to listen to the membership, and the ratified contract speaks clearly that those issues were heard.”
The bargaining process unfolded against the backdrop of improving lumber market conditions after several difficult years in the industry. IAM Union negotiators said a recent market rebound, combined with a credible strike threat from the membership, helped push the company toward an agreement months ahead of the contract deadline.
A key component of the successful ratification effort was the union’s use of modern communication tools to keep members informed throughout negotiations. District W24 utilized a dedicated negotiations website, email and text blast updates, and the W24 Website to provide near real-time bargaining updates to the membership.
“The negotiations were tough but the committee did a great job at the table,” said IAM Wood Pulp and Paper Director Bob Walls. “The company knew it had to move on several issues in order to come to an agreement.”The negotiations team planned for a communication strategy that ensured members had the information needed to make informed decisions at the ballot box while maintaining solidarity throughout the process.
IAM District W24 negotiating committee describes the agreement as a major step forward for members and emphasized that the contract reflects the essential role union workers play in Weyerhaeuser’s operations.
“This contract is an important victory,” said Brandon Bryant, “but it is also part of the ongoing effort to continue building worker power and improving the lives of IAM members throughout the industry.”
