PROCLAMATION

F THE

PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle, established in 1911 by the voters of King County, has a

mission of promoting economic development and quality of life in the region through trade,

commerce, and job creation in an equitable, accountable, and environmentally responsible manner;

and

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle envisions a vibrant region through job creation, partnering

with our neighboring communities, and promoting social responsibility as foundational to

fulfilling our mission as a public agency; and

WHEREAS, the Port supports access to quality jobs for every worker who works in Port

operations. A quality job with a living wage and adequate healthcare coverage for workers is

essential to the Port’s success; and

WHEREAS, the Port provides all Port employees, temporary and permanent, with robust

health care options; and

WHEREAS, the Port funds the SEA Employment Center operated by the nonprofit Port Jobs

with the purpose of assisting SEA employers connect with qualified jobseekers from the diverse

near airport communities; and

WHEREAS, essential workers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) are a majority

Black, brown, multi-racial, and immigrant workforce. They fill important jobs for airport

operations including work as cleaners, wheelchair agents, baggage handlers, concessionaires, and

security personnel; and

WHEREAS, essential workers were vital during the COVID-19 pandemic to keeping Port

operations running smoothly. Facing the extraordinary challenges of COVID-19, service workers

at SEA enabled the critical delivery of essential goods and services and yet many experienced

financial barriers to accessing healthcare to keep themselves and their families healthy and safe;

and

WHEREAS, essential workforce remains the backbone of SEA operations, often in

physically demanding jobs, and continue to serve as a front-line workforce during this newest and

uncertain phase of post-pandemic COVID-19 with increasingly busy travel at SEA; and

WHEREAS, a sample of essential workers were surveyed by labor representatives and one-

third report relying on Medicaid to meet their healthcare needs, while one-third forego healthcare

coverage all together due to inadequate and/or expensive coverage that does not work for them

and their families; and

Agenda Item: 4a

Meeting Date: May 23, 2023

WHEREAS, a 2014 Port of Seattle study on quality jobs comparing SEA and airports in

Oakland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and St. Louis found that airport employers who offer

competitive wage and benefits cited positive impacts through reduced employee turnover, reduced

employee absenteeism, fewer disciplinary problems, and higher morale; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle recognizes that meaningful access to healthcare insurance is

an important recruitment tool to attract and retain a skilled workforce needed for a safe and secure

airport environment. The Port of Seattle and SEA tenants are successful because of our dedicated

workforce ensuring robust commercial activity and operations at our world-class and award-

winning airport.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby proclaims support for every

SEA worker to have access to a quality job that includes meaningful access to healthcare insurance

and urges employers at the airport to offer healthcare coverage that meets the needs of the

workforce at SEA.

Proclaimed by the Port of Seattle Commission this 23rd day of May, 2023

Port of Seattle Commission