Order 2024-14 – SEA Workers Healthcare Order Page 1 of 2
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ORDER NO. 2024-14 4
AN ORDER OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 5
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…to examine how enhanced healthcare benefits for SEA 7
workers impact worker safety, attraction, retention, and/or 8
other business-related outcomes at the airport. 9
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PROPOSED 11
DECEMBER 10, 2024 12
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INTRODUCTION 14
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This order aims to examine how enhanced healthcare benefits for non-government SEA workers 16
contributes to improved safety, better worker retention, smoother airport operations, world-class 17
customer service, and other positive business outcomes, thereby advancing the airport's goal of 18
achieving a five-star Skytrax rating and otherwise increasing the airport’s competitiveness. 19
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The order follows a phased approach designed to first study the effects of healthcare benefits on 21
business outcomes (Phase 1). If this study finds that enhanced healthcare benefits are beneficial to 22
these business outcomes, Phase 2 would be the development of a Commission policy directive for 23
implementing requirements to ensure that these non-government SEA workers have access to 24
family health insurance as required by the policy. 25
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This is a significant undertaking. As of December 2023, 21,321 non-government badged workers 27
were employed at the airport. Attracting and retaining entry-level workers remains a significant 28
challenge nationwide, and SEA Airport is no exception. To achieve its business goals in spite of 29
this ongoing issue, the Port of Seattle has made it a priority to ensure that SEA jobs spanning from 30
airport dining and retail to baggage handling and customer service are quality jobs. 31
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The origins of this order can be traced to previous Commission and stakeholder input, including 33
insights from a May 2023 Roundtable on Employee Recruitment and Retention, where healthcare 34
benefits were highlighted as a critical factor in worker recruitment and retention, and April and 35
May 2024 Airport Workforce Conditions Ad Hoc Committee discussions on healthcare benefits 36
at the airport. The Committee’s guidance is currently being advanced by a dedicated staff working 37
group. 38
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TEXT OF THE ORDER 40
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The Port Commission hereby orders the Executive Director to complete the following tasks in a 42
phased approach: 43
Phase 1: Study and Analysis (Q4 2024 – Q2 2025) 44
Agenda Item: 10a_order
Meeting Date: December 10, 2024
Order 2024-14 – SEA Workers Healthcare Order Page 2 of 2
1. Review airport worker healthcare benefit policies at major airports across the country, identify 45
key trends, outcomes, and best practices. This review shall identify the scope and impact of 46
other airports’ practices and policies, and any exemptions or special provisions to their policies, 47
as well as applicability of those practices at SEA. 48
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2. Survey healthcare benefits currently provided to SEA workers in Q1 2025. This survey shall 50
engage both SEA workers and employers and shall include questions related to how these 51
healthcare benefits may impact business outcomes. 52
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3. Determine any correlation between levels of healthcare benefits and worker retention and 54
attraction, safety, and other business outcomes at SEA. 55
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4. Provide a comprehensive report on the findings above to the Commission by Q2, 2025. 57
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The Executive Director is authorized to hire a qualified consultant to assist in the completion of 59
any of the above tasks. 60
Phase 2: Development of a Commission Policy Directive to Guide Implementation of Healthcare 61
Access Program (Q3 2025 – Ongoing) 62
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1. Contingent on findings regarding the impact of health care on business outcomes at SEA, the 64
Port Commission shall develop a Commission Policy Directive to guide the Executive 65
Director’s development and implementation of healthcare requirements. This policy directive 66
may include consideration of the relative size of airport employers, healthcare requirements 67
adopted by other airports, and reporting requirements. 68
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The Commission also authorizes a budget of up to $60,000 for outside legal counsel guidance in 70
the development and implementation of this Commission Order and any follow-up Commission 71
Policy Directive. 72
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STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDER 74
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It is the intent of the Commission to take a phased approach in exploring whether and how 76
enhanced healthcare benefits may contribute to improved worker retention, safety, operational 77
efficiency and customer satisfaction at SEA. Phase 1 will gather the necessary data and analysis 78
to inform the Commission’s decision on whether to move forward with Phase 2, where the Port of 79
Seattle would develop a Commission Policy Directive to develop and implement healthcare 80
requirements for airport employees. 81
This exploration will draw on both local data and national best practices. By evaluating the impacts 82
of these benefits on key business outcomes such as safety, worker retention, operational efficiency 83
and customer satisfaction, the Commission aims to make informed decisions that will strengthen 84
SEA’s position as a leading airport both in terms of passenger service and worker quality. 85
