A King County judge ruled Friday that parts of a minimum wage ballot measure approved last month by voters in the Seattle suburb of SeaTac are invalid because the city doesn’t have authority over the airport.
Proposition 1, which retained its narrow victory after a ballot recount, set a $15 per hour minimum wage for workers in and around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including those in the hotel and rental car industries. It also established paid sick leave and other working conditions.
Opponents of the measure, including Alaska Airlines, sought to have the measure struck down.
King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas ruled that the ordinance can only apply to covered employers outside the airport, because the airport itself is operated by the Port of Seattle, and the city of SeaTac doesn’t have authority over it.
Measure supporters said Friday they would appeal to the Washington State Supreme Court.
“While we appreciate the judge's affirmation of parts of SeaTac Proposition 1, the voters approved the entire ordinance, not just parts of it,” said an emailed statement from Yes for SeaTac. “People working at the airport need paid sick days, tip protection, job security and a $15/hour wage to support their families. … As expected, we will file an expedited appeal to the Washington State Supreme Court as soon as possible.”
The group cited an analysis that said 1,600 people work at large hotels and airport parking lots in SeaTac, while another 4,700 people work at the airport for multinational contractors, concessionaires and rental car agencies.
