Airport workers from several unions held a rally Wednesday urging Port officials to mandate affordable, quality health coverage for contract workers.
SEATAC, Wash. — A coalition of labor unions representing workers employed by airlines and other businesses at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is calling on the Port of Seattle to require contractors to provide health insurance.
On Wednesday, airport workers from several unions delivered a letter to Port leadership urging officials to mandate affordable, quality health coverage for contract workers. A rally followed the delivery.
“More than half of contracted airport workers lack quality health insurance,” the letter states. “Many are forced to come to work sick because they cannot afford care, putting themselves, their coworkers, and travelers at risk. The Port can fix this issue by requiring airport contractors to provide affordable, quality health insurance.”
The letter was signed by multiple labor groups, including MLK Labor, Drivers Union, ILWU Local 19, SEIU 6 Property Services NW, Teamsters Local 117, Teamsters Local 174, UFCW Local 3000 and UNITE HERE Local 8.
Port of Seattle spokesperson Perry Cooper said the workers in question are not Port employees.
“These are not Port employees. Port employees are all covered with Port health insurance,” Cooper said. “These would be employees hired by the airlines or other tenants at the airport.”
Of the more than 20,000 workers at SEA Airport, about 1,200 are Port employees, according to the Port.
Cooper also noted structural differences between Seattle and other major airports.
“Unlike airports at LAX or San Francisco, the Port of Seattle is a special purpose government and doesn’t have the same legal powers of a city or county,” he said. “LA and SF airports are run by the city or county in their areas. They can make employers require things like healthcare.”
The Port previously explored implementing health care requirements for non-Port workers. A 2024 directive launched a study expected to conclude in mid-2025, with potential policy options to follow.
Charlie Lapham, communications director for the Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council, said Wednesday’s action was not tied to a specific contract negotiation.
“The point of the action and joint letter was to raise awareness around the issues with the public and the publicly elected Port Commission,” Lapham said. “The Port is a public agency, and we want to make sure they are held accountable.”
The letter also raises concerns about worker safety, immigration enforcement and union access to secure areas for communicating with members.
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