During the 2011 legislative session, in response to information that the Port of Seattle plans to redevelop and rebid its concessions contracts, State Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D-33rd LD) introduced HB 1832 which would require any new contractors brought on by the Port of Seattle to retain existing concessions employees -- some of whom have worked at the airport for decades -- for at least 90 days after contract transition and require the workers and their unions agree to “labor peace” (no work stoppages, no pickets, etc.) during this period. After the Port committed to working with concessions workers and their representatives to find a solution that protects those workers' interests, the bill stalled in Senate committee. However, since that time, little if any progress has been made on the part of the Port to ensure adequate protections are in place for the 1500 or so concessions workers and Rep. Upthegrove has re-introduce HB 1832 in the 2012 session.
In response, Port Commission President Gael Tarleton has sent a letter to legislative leaders to ask them to quash HB 1832 and the commissioners have hired an attorney - who lists as a major accomplishment on his web page the: “Successful deunionization of a radio station in Southern California without an election or a hearing” - to advise them on the matter.
I took the opportunity to ask Rep. Upthegrove some questions about the situation at Sea-Tac and the bill he has sponsored.
Examiner: What was your initial motivation for introducing HB 1832 last session?
Upthegrove: Many airport service workers live in communities in my district around the airport such as SeaTac, Des Moines, and Burien. The majority of workers providing food and beverage, retail, and janitorial services at Sea-Tac airport are immigrants, refugees and people of color who have built their life around the airport. I am committed to helping them achieve the American Dream while striving to maintain the worker retention and labor peace that have been in place for the past decade at our state’s largest international airport.
Examiner: Have you spoken directly with Commissioner Tarleton or any of the other commissioners to determine their level of commitment to worker protection?
Upthegrove: Commissioner Tarleton and I have communicated about my concerns over the Port Commission’s direction on this issue. Airport workers spoke to me before the last regular legislative session about their fears of losing their jobs. It is my impression that the Port has not made any progress in over a year. This is why I think it is more important than ever to pass this legislation.
Examiner: Have you met with any of the concessions workers who will be impacted by the decisions made by the Port?
Upthegrove: Yes. Many of them are my constituents and I learned from them about their issues during the course of the last year. I also travel quite a bit and always recognize familiar faces. I am always very impressed with the customer service at the airport.
There are a good number of family wage jobs with good benefits, and many workers who have full family health insurance through their jobs. I want to protect those workers because they help lift up our entire community.
It is also clear to me is that many of them are struggling in this economy and their job is the difference between making ends meet and slipping into poverty. The recession has hit working families the hardest. Workers fear losing their homes, not being able to send their kids to college, or losing their insurance to protect themselves or a sick family member.
Examiner: This bill did not get out of the state senate last session. Do you know what the major stumbling blocks were and do you think you have addressed them this year?
Upthegrove: I believe there were some concerns about the impacts this bill would have on small minority and women-owned businesses.
The policy is well balanced. Over the past decade, during which a labor harmony and worker retention policy has been in place at SeaTac Airport, the number of Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBE’s) has tripled from about 6% to 19%.
Other airports with labor harmony and worker retention policies have even better rates of contracting with minority owned small businesses. San Francisco International Airport, for example, which has enacted worker retention and labor harmony agreements, has a DBE participation in food and beverage services approaching 60% with retail near 30%.
The Port has many tools at its disposal to help small businesses at SeaTac and I encourage that they use them. For example, I see no reason why small businesses should not have access to better locations at the airport.
But helping employers can't come at the expense of the 1,500 workers who may lose their jobs, and the impact that would have on our community.
Examiner: What are the next steps for this bill? If it should pass the legislature, do you know if the governor will sign it?
Upthegrove: The bill is currently awaiting a vote of the full House. As with most legislation, we are taking it one step at a time.
My thanks to Rep. Upthegrove. I will, of course, keep you informed of the bill’s final outcome.
Peace,
Chad Shue
Comments