Home / Business and Economy / Oyster Bar Strike Ends: New Contract Reached
Oyster Bar Strike Ends: New Contract Reached
27 Jun
Summary
- Oyster bar employees ended an eight-day strike after ratifying a new contract.
- The new contract modifies the service charge model and tip distribution.
- The restaurant group initially announced closure due to safety concerns during the strike.
Employees at The Walrus and the Carpenter, a Seattle oyster bar, have returned to work following an eight-day strike. They ratified a new two-year collective bargaining agreement with their employer, Sea Creatures. The contract addresses the restaurant's compensation model, particularly concerning a service charge implemented in January 2025.
Initially, Sea Creatures collected a 22% service charge, directing 50% towards additional hourly pay. The new agreement reduces this service charge to a maximum of 6%, with staff receiving 100% of additional customer tips. This resolution follows over a year of negotiations that employees felt were stalled by unfair labor practices.
Management had previously announced the restaurant's closure on June 22, 2026, citing safety concerns and alleged harassment directed at guests during the strike. The union denied these accusations. The Sea Creatures restaurant group, which operates multiple establishments in Seattle, expressed commitment to resolving negotiations in good faith.
