By Mark Edward Nero
Port of Seattle CEO Ted J. Fick has hired David Freiboth as a member of the port’s executive team, effective July 16.
In his new role of Senior Director of Labor Relations, Freiboth will be responsible for providing strategic direction and guidance for labor relations, playing a major role in supporting workforce development throughout the Puget Sound region.
Freiboth will report directly to the CEO. He is also expected to work to build and enhance communication between a wide range of labor unions and the Port of Seattle. Nearly half of the port’s 1,800 employees are represented by 20 different labor union locals and 22 bargaining units, with an additional six union locals comprising its external labor relations, according to the port.
Before being hired by the port, Freiboth was Executive Secretary of the M.L. King County Labor Council since 2006 and was responsible for representing 125 affiliated local unions, advising national labor leadership, managing local staff, and serving as primary spokesman for labor locals.
Prior to that, he spent more than 10 years as the CEO of the Seattle Inlandboatman’s Union, representing more than 3,500 members in the public and private sector.
