Sea-Tac passenger service workers ratified strong new contracts over the summer, with increased paid time off and new mechanisms for securing their work schedules. The Sea-Tac minimum wage will increase to $19.06 on January 1, 2023. The collective action of this predominantly immigrant workforce has made Sea-Tac a leader in wages and working conditions for passenger service workers. But adequate healthcare remains an urgent need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need health insurance\u2014especially older workers like me. I\u2019m 63 years old. I\u2019ve worked at Sea-Tac since 2004. The insurance our employers offer is unaffordable. In this type of job, you don\u2019t know when you might get hurt. We strain our backs because we\u2019re constantly lifting heavy baggage or pushing people in wheelchairs. Years ago, I was in the ICU for 9 days. I had to pay out of pocket because I didn\u2019t have adequate insurance. Airlines who contract our employers should make sure we\u2019re covered. The job is not easy and we worked during the pandemic with no health benefits. The companies and airlines need to do better.\u201d \u2014Ador Deguzman, Sea-Tac Airport Worker<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Passenger service workers like cabin cleaners, wheelchair agents and baggage handlers are calling on the Port of Seattle to step in. Airports in cities like New York, Newark, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have set rules requiring airport employers offer quality, affordable healthcare to workers. We can do the same in Sea-Tac. <\/p>\n\n\n\n