Airport workers ramp up contract fight

Workers are fighting for health care coverage, fair wages, and protections for immigrant workers

SEATAC, WA (May 15, 2025) — At a Mother’s Day rally, airport service workers united together at Sea-Tac Airport, raising awareness of their ongoing fight for a fair contract. Led by their all-women bargaining team, the workers voiced their contract demands and heard from local elected officials pledging their support.

Their demands include affordable, useable healthcare coverage, fair wages for essential work, and protections for immigrant and refugee workers, like the ability to take leave to deal with immigration issues without losing seniority. Per the union, healthcare is a top priority for many workers, as travelers with measles have been reported to have passed through SEA; because many of these workers provide direct services to travelers, their work can risk their health. A recent survey conducted by SEIU Local 6 found that more than 60% of the workers don’t have health insurance.

The workers campaign to secure a contract that ensures they are respected, protected, and paid for their essential labor began in March.

“Right now, we are actively working on negotiating the best possible contract,” said Karina Babainants, a passenger service worker and bargaining team member in a statement before the rally. “We are calling on our whole union as well as the public to support us because we have a lot of work to do to lift up the workers who make the airport work, and who struggle to get by on low wages and inadequate healthcare.”

The workers were joined by labor and community allies, as well as local elected officials, including Port Comissioner Hamdi Mohamed, SeaTac Councilmember Senayet Negusse, and State Representative Mia Gregerson.

Supporters can show their solidarity with the workers by signing their petition, directed to the Port of Seattle. Workers are calling on the Port to pass a resolution requiring that all employers at the airport provide quality, affordable health insurance, just like policies in place at airports in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and Newark.