Sea Creatures, Union Seal 1st Contract Capping Service Charge at 6%
Updated
Updated · KUOW News and Information · Jun 26
Sea Creatures, Union Seal 1st Contract Capping Service Charge at 6%
3 articles · Updated · KUOW News and Information · Jun 26
Summary
A first labor contract between Sea Creatures and the United Creatures of the Sea caps the restaurant service charge at 6% and lets diners add gratuities.
The deal follows a strike at Seattle's The Walrus and the Carpenter, where workers said a 22% service-charge model effectively cut take-home tips and fueled unfair-labor-practice complaints.
Sea Creatures had temporarily closed the restaurant, then reopened it with staff from other locations and friends while negotiations continued.
Management said The Walrus and the Carpenter was operating at an $800,000 loss and the company carried $10 million in debt, underscoring the financial strain behind the dispute.
The agreement, first reported as tentative late Wednesday, gives Sea Creatures its first union contract as Seattle restaurants navigate volatile demand and high operating costs.