Carpenters union representatives told the Lynnwood City Council on Oct. 27 that workers on a recent Lynnwood construction project were not paid overtime and that the city should investigate whether a contractor complied with contract and labor standards.

Zach McKown of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters said workers were cheated out of overtime on a job the union had previously identified to council members at a workshop. McKown and other union speakers said the project had received a multifamily tax exemption (MFTE); speakers cited a $6.2 million figure in public comment, and later in council remarks Councilmember Hurst referred to a $6.0 million MFTE over multiple years as recorded in the meeting.

Paul Gallivan, Brian Selby and other union representatives said the city should require higher standards for contractors on city‑permitted projects and consider adopting prevailing‑wage or project labor agreement (PLA) requirements and better oversight to prevent wage theft. "These people deserve better than to have the ego and authority of a few dictate the next worker in Lynnwood from being cheated," Paul Gallivan said.

Council members responded that they take the claims seriously. Councilmember Decker asked council leadership to add a near‑term agenda item to identify actions the city can take to vet and, if warranted, address the charges. He invited affected workers to contact him and said he would honor requests for anonymity. Councilmember Escamilla noted state action—he cited Senate Bill 5572 related to public works projects over $35 million—and said the council should explore whether Lynnwood can add protections beyond state measures.

Councilmember Hurst said he had previously suggested a city wage‑theft ordinance and that the council's workforce/labor task force should be reengaged to develop recommendations on PLAs, community workforce agreements and enforcement measures.

Why it matters: Public comments described alleged unpaid wages that union representatives said totalled large sums and left workers financially vulnerable. Council members acknowledged oversight gaps and asked staff and leadership to bring the matter back for formal discussion.

What happens next: Council leadership said it would add the issue for a near‑term agenda item and reestablish or accelerate work by the workforce/labor task force to consider ordinance or procurement changes; staff will report back to council with options.