Airport News
US airlines are suing the Port of Seattle to block planned pay increases for airport workers, in the latest legal battle over efforts to improve worker compensation in a state with the highest minimum wage in the country.
The Port commission, which runs SeaTac airport, voted in July to lift the wage floor to USD$11.22 per hour in January 2015 and USD$13.00 per hour in 2017 for airport employees.
On Monday, Airlines for America, which represents major air carriers, filed suit in district court in Seattle arguing the wage increases conflict with state and federal law and labour agreements.
"The rules, unless restrained, will cause irreparable harm to Airlines for America's member air carriers," said the industry group lawsuit. Airlines for America members include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines along with delivery services UPS and FedEx .
The airlines' suit was joined by Baggage Airline Guest Services, an airport contractor that provides luggage handling and wheelchair escorts.
The Port maintains that commissioners acted within their authority when they passed the pay measure and said it was aimed at reducing employee turnover.
"We have worked closely with tenants and operators to hear concerns and provide guidance on implementing the policy," an airport spokesman said in a statement.
Seattle is among several cities leading the way in a national push by Democrats and labour activists to raise wages well above the current federal minimum of USD$7.25 per hour.
Voters in the Seattle suburb of SeaTac – where the airport is based – approved an initiative last year enacting a USD$15 minimum wage for many workers, but airport employees were later excluded by a court order.
In June, Seattle's city council unanimously approved the USD$15 per hour minimum, marking the first time a major US city committed to such a high base level of pay.
Business groups, led by the Washington, DC-based International Franchise Association, filed suit to block the city council's measure soon after it was passed.
Washington has the highest statewide minimum wage in the country at USD$9.32 per hour. Only Washington DC has a higher minimum wage at USD$9.50.
