SeaTac Aircraft Fueler strike looms

Air travel through Washington’s largest airport could be in jeopardy as contract negotiations stall

SEATAC, WA (May 7, 2025) — The number of aircraft moving through SeaTac International Airport could come to a screeching halt as soon as this week, after 150 Teamsters working for Swissport voted to authorize a strike against their employer on Tuesday. Swissport is a Swiss multinational corporation contracted at airports around the world to provide security services, baggage services including ramp handling, fueling, executive aviation, and air cargo handling.

These Teamsters Local 174 members work as aircraft fuelers in a grueling and safety-critical job. Without their labor, a majority of the aircraft passing through SeaTac would be left without a way to get fuel. Airlines impacted by a strike would include Delta, Alaska, Horizon, Frontier, JetBlue, United, Hawaiian, Spirit, Aeromexico, Air France, and American Airlines.

In a Facebook post, Teamsters Local 174 announced the strike vote was unanimous.

Photo: Teamsters Local 174

Negotiations have been ongoing for two months. While contract sticking points of course include economic issues, workers’ other demands are for basic human needs like a clean lunchroom, a place to park for work, lockers, and the opportunity to wash off the jet fuel from their clothing at the end of the day. Even these simple requests are ignored by a management team whose wage structure barely exceeds SeaTac minimum wage for many workers.

Swissport is the largest provider of airport ground services in the world, with €3.7 billion in revenues in 2024, reports the union.

“A strike is always a last resort, and that is especially true in an industry like this one where a strike would cause hardship for so many people,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “However, that decision ultimately lies with Swissport management, who has a responsibility to come back to the bargaining table with an offer that respects our members. They work a physically demanding job in every type of weather, and Swissport’s success is entirely built upon their backs.”