Sea-Tac baggage handlers protesting over minimum wage
Jan 18, 2016, 8:10 AM | Updated: 8:44 am
Baggage handlers at Sea-Tac Airport are picketing to draw attention to their claim that they still are not receiving a $15 minimum wage. (Jeff Ritter, KIRO7)
(Jeff Ritter, KIRO7)
Workers at Sea-Tac Airport are walking away from work and grabbing picket signs.
“We are in the baggage claim area right now. We are told there are about 50 workers on strike,” said David Ham with KIRO7. “They all work for Menzies, a contractor for Alaska Airlines. They are cleaners, baggage handlers and fuelers.”
About 50 employees of Menzies Aviation are protesting unfair labor practices, KIRO7 reports.
Despite winning a recent court case that concluded airport workers should get a $15 minimum wage, baggage handlers argue that their employer has avoided paying the wage.
“Even though, back in August the state’s Supreme Court upheld a ruling for $15 an hour, they say Menzies is holding up the implementation using legal maneuvers,” Ham said.
The protest could cause disruptions to airport service throughout the day, but flights are expected to continue on schedule.
“Alaska Airlines says that this will not impact customers in any way today, adding their staffing levels are up to par with any other day,” Ham said.
