Airport workers: ‘Health care is no joke’

SEA Airport workers, turned away by Port leadership, rallied for healthcare coverage and safe working conditions

SEATAC, WA (April 2, 2026) — More than 100 workers rallied at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Wednesday, carrying signs reading “Worker Safety Is No Joke” and “Healthcare Is No Joke.” The workers are calling on Port of Seattle leadership to address unsafe working conditions and the widespread lack of health insurance among airport workers. A delegation of airport workers also attempted to deliver a letter from a coalition of labor unions representing workers at Port of Seattle facilities urging Port leadership to take action; they were denied access to Port offices. And when workers tried to rally at the south end of the arrivals pick up area, Port of Seattle police announced that if workers did not leave the area and take their rally outside the airport, they “would be arrested and force may be used.”

“We are told that the airport is a world-class place to work, yet many of us don’t have health insurance,” said Nancy Kibocha, a cabin cleaner at SEA Airport. “While the Port conducts studies, asks to fill out surveys, and issues proclamations, my coworkers and I are forced to choose between seeing a doctor or paying our rent, buying medicine or buying groceries. This is the reality we face.”

The unions’ joint letter outlines serious concerns with the Port of Seattle for refusing to require airport contractors to provide affordable health insurance — especially since the Port already requires coverage for its own employees. In effect, that disparity creates a two‑tier system in which thousands of contracted workers are working without essential benefits.

Photo: MLK Labor

Currently, more than 50% of workers employed by airport contractors do not have access to affordable health insurance. Lack of insurance leaves workers forced to come to work sick, delay medical care, miss other bills to afford care, or go without treatment altogether. When workers have to come to work sick, it puts both travelers and airports workers are at risk. Workers are urging the Port to take action now, before a massive influx of international travelers come through SEA Airport for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in just a few months.

“When workers don’t have healthcare, that puts everyone at risk,” said Bruce Batuli Daniel, another cabin cleaner. “When we get sick, we can unintentionally get passengers sick. When we get hurt, it puts strain on our coworkers who have to cover shifts while the company is short-staffed. It’s not just unfair, it’s unsafe.”

The letter workers attempted to deliver to Port leadership also details workers’ concerns over safety at work, the Port’s failure to ensure unions have access to secure areas to communicate with members, and a lack of protections for workers’ first amendment rights to free speech and assembly. These concerns carry urgency in light of increased Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) activity in the Seattle area, and reports that ICE may have a role in security for the upcoming World Cup:

“SEA Airport workers are overwhelmingly immigrants, refugees, and people of color. Through conversations with their union, it has become clear that these workers feel unsafe and unprotected by the Port. We are demanding that the Port act boldly and decisively to shield immigrant workers from unnecessary federal targeting.”

Airport workers were supported at their rally by fellow union members and labor leaders.

“Our region depends on SEA Airport, but the workers who make it run are being pushed to the limit. Far too many airport workers lack access to healthcare and are terrified about being unjustly targeted by federal immigration agents,” said Katie Garrow, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of MLK Labor, in a statement. “The Port of Seattle should act now to ensure safety, dignity, and stability for every airport worker.”

While the workers were prevented from delivering the joint letter to Port leadership, they’re not backing down from their fight for healthcare access and safety on the job.

“SeaTac Airport is an economic engine, but beneath the surface, workers are struggling,” said Brenda Amolo, airport coordinator at SEIU Local 6, which represents more than 1,000 workers at the airport. “If workers aren’t healthy, safe, and protected, the airport isn’t safe. The Port of Seattle needs to start listening to the people who make this airport run.”