OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington House has approved a measure to protect workers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport contractors from losing their jobs when a new contractor takes over.
The bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Dave Upthegrove of Des Moines is aimed at maintaining labor peace at Sea-Tac, a vital entry point for goods and commerce. It would require new contractors providing services within the airport to retain the previous contractor’s employees for up to 90 days. If the performance of employees is satisfactory, the new contractor would have to offer them a job.
Republican opponents condemned the idea as a permanent guarantee of employment and a government intrusion into the private sector.
