Order 2023-13 – Airport Workforce Conditions Committee Page 1 of 2
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ORDER 2023-13 4
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AN ORDER OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 6
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… to establish the Airport Workforce Conditions Committee 8
as a Port of Seattle Commission ad hoc committee. 9
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PROPOSED 11
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 12
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INTRODUCTION 14
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Commissioners have prioritized improved access to childcare and healthcare as critical support 16
for workers at Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA), including both Port employees and 17
workers employed by SEA vendors, tenants, and service providers. Commissioners convened a 18
worker recruitment and retention roundtable on May 23, 2023, and heard comments from SEA 19
business partners, labor representatives, and workers who support improved access to childcare 20
and healthcare for SEA workers. These prioritized issues, and the work underway to address 21
them, will be advanced by establishing an ad hoc committee dedicated to airport workforce 22
conditions. 23
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Recruiting and retaining SEA workers is a critical component to the operation of the airport and 25
of how the Port of Seattle creates jobs and supports local communities. The Port recognizes that 26
both access to childcare and healthcare are valid considerations when seeking employment. To 27
that end, the Port is committed to exploring how it can address both issues in ways that make 28
employment at SEA more accessible and sustainable for community members, while also 29
enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of SEA operations. The Port also recognizes the 30
dedication and integrity of the SEA workforce, which was vital at sustaining operations during the 31
COVID-19 pandemic and this workforce continues to serve on the front-line post-COVID-19, with 32
pre-pandemic traveler volumes forecast for 2024. 33
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Establishing an ad hoc committee will create opportunity for a schedule of oversight and 35
engagement with staff on programmatic, policy advocacy, and operational efforts on these 36
topics. 37
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TEXT OF THE ORDER 39
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The Port Commission hereby establishes the Airport Workforce Conditions Committee as an ad 41
hoc committee for the Port of Seattle Commission. Upon passage of this Order, the Committee 42
will continue to exist until such time as these areas have been satisfactorily addressed. The ad-43
Item No. 10c_order
Meeting Date: September 12,
2023
Order 2023-13 – Airport Workforce Conditions Committee Page 2 of 2
hoc committee membership shall consist of Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa and Commissioner 44
Hamdi Mohamed. 45
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The Committee shall provide oversight, information, advice, and recommendations about Port 47
efforts to support SEA workers as part of our mission to advance economic development and in 48
fulfillment of the Port’s Century Agenda goals. The committee shall focus on initiatives led by 49
staff from the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, External Relations, and the Aviation 50
Division, including: 51
1) the exploration of affordable, accessible childcare for SEA workers, 52
2) the establishment of a portwide third-party code of conduct that outlines the Port’s 53
expectations for its vendors related to topics like respectable worksite, civil rights, and 54
combatting human trafficking, 55
3) the provision of free hygiene products to SEA workers, travelers, and visitors, and 56
4) advocacy for affordable, accessible health care options for non-Port workers at SEA, both 57
through direct engagement with employers, as well as advocacy at the state and federal 58
level. 59
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The Port of Seattle’s Office and of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Aviation Directors, or 61
designees, shall support the ad-hoc committee as the primary executive staff contacts. The role 62
of the executive staff contacts shall be to inform the Committee about progress on these topics, 63
support the Committee with timely and responsive information, coordinate with other executive 64
staff in support of the Committee’s work, and serve as a resource for Committee deliberation. 65
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STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDER 67
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SEA Airport is one of the largest job sites in King County, with more than 250 different employers 69
operating onsite. According to a 2018 economic impact report, the airport provides more than 70
150,000 jobs annually with 24,000 badged employees. 71
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The Port relies on these workers to maintain and grow its many lines of business. With aging 73
population and without sustained immigration, many economists are predicting an ongoing 74
shortage of workers. 75
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Establishing an ad hoc committee will create the opportunity for Commissioners to more deeply 77
explore the barriers to SEA recruitment and retention and offer oversight of initiatives not 78
currently covered by existing Commission committees. 79
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