Washington state judge excludes airport from SeaTac's $15 minimum wage

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Washington state judge excludes airport from SeaTac's $15 minimum wage

BY JONATHAN KAMINSKY
OLYMPIA, Washington Fri Dec 27, 2013 10:55pm EST

(Reuters) - The voter-approved law establishing a $15 minimum hourly wage for travel and hospitality workers in a Seattle suburb encompassing the region's main international airport does not apply to workers at the airport, a judge ruled on Friday.

King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas ruled that the city of SeaTac does not have the authority to set workplace rules within Seattle-Tacoma International Airport because the aviation hub is owned by the Port of Seattle, a separate government entity.

Supporters of the law, who view it as an example for communities elsewhere to emulate in their fight for a living wage, said they will appeal the decision directly to the Washington state Supreme Court.

"The Washington State Legislature has clearly and unequivocally stated its intent that municipalities other than the Port of Seattle may not exercise any jurisdiction or control over SeaTac Airport operations, or the laws and rules governing those operations," Darvas wrote in her ruling.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/28/us-usa-wage-seatac-idUSBRE9BR01J20131228

[Laelth]

1. Interesting. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

2. Either SEIU or the Teamsters

I believe, are working to organize the baggage handlers. If that succeeds then the $15 an hour wage will be reached through unionizing.

[golfguru]

3. Good news, then my fast food at the airport will cost the same n/t

[jtuck004]

4. Yup. And maybe even with extra nuts, and, well, who knows what? <G>

Might want to start carrying sandwiches...but no vials of mayonnaise. Get in trouble for that.

[golfguru]

5. What really sucks about flying now..

I have a bit of high blood pressure and I need to drink water.
But they will not even let me bring a small bottle of water on the plane.
I am forced to pay $3 or more at the airport shop.

[jtuck004]

6. One of my part-time jobs when I got out of the service was data entry

at an F.A.A. office. Inspectors and pilot reports were, and are, filed every day on the things they find wrong with the planes before they fly away. Leaking fluid, shaky engines, all sorts of interesting data they might use to fix it if it makes it back one day.

Makes one look at the ship that is about to take them into the air in a whole new light

But yeah, $3 water. And it's really not security any more, I don't think. I suspect it would stop if the airports didn't realize it was a profit center, if they thought it would cost them money in some way.