With lost wages and community benefits in the millions...
Sea-Tac workers and community to protest at Alaska Airlines headquarters over lawsuits blocking $15 minimum wage
Major rally expected in SeaTac Wednesday
In the past year, Alaska Airlines has tried to keep $15 off the ballot, campaigned unsuccessfully to vote it down, and sued in state court to block it from taking effect for thousands of airport workers, arguing that SeaTac doesn't have the power to set a minimum wage. Now their big national airline lobby group has filed a Federal lawsuit too, claiming this time the Port of Seattle doesn't have the power to set a minimum wages, either.
They also banked a half-billion dollars in net income.
Alaska may be determined to block $15, but we are willing to do whatever it takes, too.
Who: More than a hundred airport workers and community supporters with Working Washington, including community and faith leaders, as well as workers who fuel jets, clean cabins, load baggage, assist elderly and disabled travelers, and provide other services for airline passengers.
What: Major rally at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters in protest of their attempts to rob SeaTac workers of the $15 minimum wage — a heist worth thousands of dollars to each of thousands of airport workers. Lost wage increases are estimated to total $14 million — and counting.
When: Wednesday, November 19, 2014. Workers & supporters will rally at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters at about 4:15 pm. (Workers and supporters will be available for interviews beginning at 3:00 pm.)
Where: Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters: 19300 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188. (Workers and supporters will gather across the street at 19415 International Blvd before marching to Alaska HQ.)
In November 2013, SeaTac galvanized a national movement for higher pay with their vote to pass Proposition 1, which guaranteed a $15 minimum wage, paid sick days, and other labor standards for travel & tourism industry workers in and around our airport. Today, eleven months after the $15 minimum wage was supposed to take effect, many workers are left making little more than the statewide minimum wage of $9.32 an hour — losing about $5/hour for each hour worked since January 1st.
After a year of Alaska's lawsuits, delays, and political shenanigans, workers and community members have had enough — they're calling on Alaska to drop the excuses, stop robbing the people who serve their passengers, and make sure airport workers finally get the $15 they won last November.
Full application of SeaTac Proposition 1 was estimated to inject $54 million into the local economy — a much-needed boost in many of South King County communities where airport workers live.
The action is the first of a series of coordinated events at nine U.S. airports, by workers who are standing up to make sure that airports are clean, safe, efficient and fair for workers, passengers, and taxpayers alike.
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Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington: 206-227-6014, sage@workingwa.org
Working Washington unites working people to fight for a fair economy where everyone can support themselves, afford the basics, and contribute to the economy. We launched the fast food strikes that sparked the fight for $15 in Seattle; we helped lead the successful campaign to pass $15 in SeaTac; and we work in coalition with unions, faith groups, and grassroots organizations to hold corporations & politicians accountable to community needs.