Template revised January 10, 2019.

DATE: January 18, 2019

TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director

FROM: David McFadden, Managing Director

ACTION REQUESTED

Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to advertise and execute a

contract to provide services to educate and assist workers and employers at Seattle-Tacoma

International Airport about labor and employment laws for two years and an amount not to

exceed $531,000.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Port of Seattle is planning to implement a two-year pilot program to operate a Career

Support and Advancement (CSAC) center that would educate and assist workers and employers

The passage of the City of SeaTac Ordinance 13-1020 (Prop 1) created a network of benefits

and rights unique to the City of SeaTac and different from state statute. The lack of

understanding of employment rights and responsibilities under the new ordinance has led to an

increase in grievances. This pilot program will be designed to help mitigate some of the

complaints from Prop-1-impacted employers and workers concerning wage and other

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

The Port of Seattle would like to emphasize the purpose for action. There are thousands of

employees working at the airport on shifts covering all hours of the day. As the operator of this

regional asset, we have a responsibility to see that it is run as efficiently as possible. One of the

issues that impedes this efficiency is the confusion that many employees have with respect to

the wage and benefits laws that govern the airport. This confusion has led to erroneous

application of the required standards, leading to workers feeling that they are not receiving

what they are entitled to, and in turn leading to disputes that are costly in time and resources

for both employers and employees.

Approving this authorization will allow the Port to establish a more stable workplace

environment at the airport by educating employees and employers with respect to the rules

benefit of the community and our customers at the Airport.

At the Port of Seattle, a strong workplace is built upon workers understanding their rights, the

ability to raise issues with their employers and work together to address them.

Strategy 3 of the Port’s Century Agenda directs that we “use the port’s influence as an

institution to promote women and minority business enterprise (WMBE) growth, small business

growth, and workforce development.” As part of the Port’s commitment to workforce

development, this pilot program aims to educate and assist workers and employers at Sea-Tac

International Airport about labor and employment matters and provide complementary efforts

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

Task 1: Employee and Employer Outreach and Education

Task 1 Deliverable(s): Electronically submit monthly narratives in Word format disclosing

participation in community events, program orientations, presentations, and other outreach

activities to increase awareness of SeaTac Municipal Code 7.45 and other local, state, and

federal employment standards to employees and employers. Consultant shall manage this

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

types of employment assistance services and referrals administered for clients and the

outcomes associated with the administered services. Consultant shall manage this process and

determine which methods they find most effective. Monthly narratives shall total 24 before

contract expiration. Additionally, the consultant shall produce 2 program reports addressing

program metrics collected during the first 12 months of the program and the second 12 months

of the program.

Next Steps

If the Commission authorizes the pilot program, the Economic Development Division (EDD) will

work with Central Procurement Office (CPO) to develop and issue a competitive request for

objectives and standards the Port is seeking. Proposers will provide their plan for meeting the

objectives. This plan will be evaluated so that Port has the opportunity to select the plan that

best meets our objectives. Specifically Proposers address how they will deliver outreach,

education and counseling services – will training or counseling be in person, on the phone or

on line; how the proposer will address language barriers, etc; and specific location of venue and

accessibility (bidder would need to pay for space at airport per FAA regulations).

The RFP may include parameters and/or evaluation criteria around things we value (such as the

location for services to ensure they are at or proximate to Sea-Tac International airport and

easily accessible -- good public transportation and parking). We will select the proposer who

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

January 14-31 Notify Seattle-Tacoma International Airport employers and labor partners

to get input on the pilot

February 4 Prep final scope of services/Commission authorization request

February 26 Commission authorizes RFP/Contract execution for services

April 1 Issue RFP for services

July Preferred respondent selected to provide service

July Update to Commission

Sept./Oct. Service starts

Outreach and Employer Engagement

Staff organized two forums for employers located at Seattle-Tacoma International airport in

Staff was able to answer these questions and others raised during the meeting. Comments

about the proposed services were generally favorable. One employee asked staff to establish

clear “guardrails” for CSAC responsibilities, including the types of employee referrals and advice

it can offer. Another forum participant emphasized that the proposed CSAC should not

duplicate existing resources but complement them.

ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED

Alternative 1 – Delay or postpone service

Cost Implications: $0

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

Cost Implications: $531,000 over two years