Sea-Tac Airport workers launched a movement when they won the nation’s first Fight for $15 back in 2013. Now, workers are uniting again—across race, religion, and background—to win healthcare for all airport workers.
Add your name to tell the Port of Seattle that all airport workers deserve healthcare—no matter their race, country of origin, or who signs their paychecks.
Airport service workers like wheelchair agents, cabin cleaners, ramp agents, and baggage handlers keep our airport clean, safe, and accessible.
This majority immigrant and person of color workforce has kept Sea-Tac steady through the effects of a global pandemic—and they’ve done it without adequate healthcare.
“We need health insurance—especially older workers like me. I’m 63 years old. I’ve worked at Sea-Tac since 2004. The insurance our employers offer is unaffordable.
In this type of job, you don’t know when you might get hurt. We strain our backs because we’re 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’t have adequate insurance.
Airlines who contract our employers should make sure we’re covered. The job is not easy and we worked during the pandemic with no health benefits. The companies and airlines need to do better.”
—Ador Deguzman, Sea-Tac Airport Worker
A survey by SEIU6 found:
Source: SEIU6 Contract Bargaining Survey, May 2022.
1/3 of Sea-Tac passenger service workers rely on Medicaid for their healthcare
1/3 of Sea-Tac passenger service workers go without health insurance
“I don’t have health insurance. Without it, there is not much we can do when we get sick.
Two months ago, I had to go to the hospital but I couldn’t get treated without health insurance. I had to go back home and just take care of myself the best I could.
We need health insurance because it’s a necessity.“
Meskerem Tilahun, Sea-Tac Airport Worker
Airports in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and Newark have created policies to require employers provide good, affordable health insurance for all airport workers. We can do the same in Sea-Tac.
Sea-Tac airport workers united in SEIU6 are calling on the Port of Seattle to pass a resolution requiring all employers at the airport provide quality, affordable health insurance.
“The longer I work in my role as a baggage handler the more I realize good healthcare is a necessity. Everyday, I assist passengers with bags that weigh up to 50 pounds. If I carry it incorrectly I could get hurt. Good healthcare is critical—not just to keep up with my annual checkups, but to protect me if I get hurt on the job. I want to be able to go to the doctor without worrying about the cost of the bills.
—Gustavo Bravo, Sea-Tac Airport Worker
Add your name to tell the Port of Seattle that all airport workers deserve healthcare—no matter their race, country of origin, or who signs their paychecks.
