Last week, Alaska Airlines, the Washington Restaurant Association, and airport small businesses Filo Foods and BF Foods filed a motion asking the state Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling on the $15 minimum wage law in SeaTac. The court ruled last month that the law applies to Seattle Tacoma International Airport even though, technically, the Port of Seattle has jurisdiction over the airport.
The motion to reconsider argues that the court “misinterpreted the state law granting the Port of Seattle exclusive jurisdiction over the airport.” The motion also contends that the $15 minimum wage law “interferes with federal laws regarding the provision of airline services and with federal labor laws.” Additionally, the parties have asked the justices to “allow it to show in trial court that Proposition 1 would interfere with airport operations” should the court refuse to reconsider its stance on the issues.
According to the Seattle Times, the Port of Seattle has “partially joined the motion for reconsideration, asking for clarity on what the scope of its jurisdiction is over the airport.”
Until the justices decide on the motion, $15 minimum wage increases at SeaTac Airport are on hold—much to the irritation of unions. Airport worker staged a demonstration on Friday with the help of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). No doubt, SEIU is eager for the $15 minimum wage law to be implemented at the airport so unions could get their exemptions from the law thus making unionization the more attractive option for employers.
If this is so great, why do unions need an exemption? Are there rank and file so incompetent, they do not deserve $15.00?
AMEN to that Steve. Unions SUCK WIND and only care about their upper eschelons and not for those actually doing the work.
The same reason union members don’t get paid sick days even though it was called “workers rights”, the union paid well for exemption.