SEATAC — 150 aircraft fuelers at SEA Airport are now poised to walk off the job after teamsters voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize a strike.
“They are not asking for the moon, they’re asking to be treated with respect,” said Jamie Fleming, a union leader with Teamsters Local 174.
The fuelers service about 70% of planes at SEA and work for Swissport, one of the largest providers of airport ground services.
“This job is not only dangerous, it’s grueling,” said Fleming.
Fleming says the fuelers’ previous contract with Swissport expired a few days ago and they’ve been negotiating for the past two months, but talks have stalled.
Many fuelers make little more than minimum wage. They’re asking for better pay and improved working conditions.
“They don’t stock the toilet paper, hand towels – we have to bring our own stuff,” said James Olivas, a fueling agent.
“These people smell like jet fuel at the end of the day. They should have some facilities available to them, so they don’t have to go home to their families smelling like that,” added Fleming.
If there is a strike – who puts fuel in the planes?
Swissport has informed SEA it has a contingency plan ready to go. Fleming says the company is making a move to bring in outside workers.
“I don’t think it’s possible for Swissport to avoid disruptions at the airport if their entire 150-person workforce does not show up to work,” said Fleming.
The next round of negotiations is scheduled for Thursday.
When asked if the airport is anticipating any difficulties, a spokesperson with SEA responded:
- SEA is aware of the issue and working closely with our tenants who are working on their contingency plans.
- These employees are hired by tenants employed with contracts with the airlines. They are not Port employees.
- Currently SEA is not anticipating major impacts to flights or operations.
KIRO 7 also reached out to Swissport Group Communications, who provided the following statement:
“We are disappointed that the Teamsters, whose members provide Swissport’s fueling services at Seattle airport, has chosen to undertake this unjustifiable strike action.
Swissport has been negotiating in good faith and its latest proposed offer is extremely competitive, including higher wages and better working conditions than its competitors. Our team members would be the highest paid fuelers at Seattle airport. However, the union has refused to allow its members to vote on our proposal.
We are extremely sorry that after a month of negotiations, based on a very fair offer, the Teamsters decided to take this course of action. We have repeatedly asked the union to negotiate but they keep delaying engagement in meaningful discussions.
Contingency plans are currently in place to ensure the continuity of our fueling services at Seattle airport.
Swissport is confident that a resumption in dialogue will provide a positive result. We continue to pursue every avenue to find a solution and are prepared to return to the negotiating table should the union reengage.
Our priority is to continue providing the best service to our customers."
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