Port of Seattle CEO Ted J. Fick has hired David Freiboth as a member of the Port’s executive team, effective July 16. As Senior Director of Labor Relations, Freiboth will be responsible for providing strategic direction and guidance for labor relations, playing a critical role in supporting workforce development throughout the Puget Sound region. Because of the important component labor brings to the region and state, the position will report directly to the CEO. He will also work to build and enhance communication between a wide range of labor unions and the Port of Seattle.
“David has been a key player in the local labor community for over 20 years and brings to the port an extensive background and knowledge in maritime labor issues,” said CEO Fick. “As we seek to prepare the next generation of maritime workers throughout the region, his skills will be essential in growing jobs in this state.”
Nearly half of the port’s 1,800 employees are represented by 20 different labor union locals, 22 bargaining units, with an additional six union locals comprising its external labor relations.
As Executive Secretary of the M.L. King County Labor Council since 2006, Freiboth 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 role 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.
Freiboth holds a bachelors degree in Labor History from the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland.
About the Port of Seattle
Founded in 1911, the Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, four container cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, one grain terminal, a public cargo terminal, four public marinas, and manages a number of real estate assets for financial return and economic advantage. The port’s operations currently help create nearly 200,000 jobs and $7 billion in wages throughout the region. Over the next 22 years, the port’s “Century Agenda” seeks to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth while becoming the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port. Learn more at www.portseattle.org.
