Sea-Tac workers hold solidarity protest for $15 minimum wage
![A man holds an inflatable toy airplane during a march by demonstrators in favor of a minimum wage of $15 an hour and union shops at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Tuesdayin SeaTac, Wash. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)](https://thumb.spokesman.com/uO6q6eDqVn9RLDznlEJuDvMVKgE=/600x0/media.spokesman.com/graphics/2018/07/sr-loader.png)
SEATAC, Wash. – About 100 workers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport took part in a protest as part of nationwide demonstrations for a $15 minimum wage.
The Tuesday afternoon protest involved a rally near the airport and people walking around the baggage claim area.
Across the country dozens of people were arrested as part of similar demonstrations. Fast-food restaurant workers and home and child-care workers rallied in cities including Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and New York. In many cities the protesters blocked busy intersections.
In 2013 voters in SeaTac passed a $15-an-hour minimum wage law. In November, Washington state voters approved Initiative 1433, which would raise the hourly wage by roughly $4 over three years, to $13.50. The measure also would require employers to provide paid sick leave – at least one hour for every 40 worked – that could be used to care for family members or as “safe leave” for those who miss work because of domestic violence.
Washington’s current minimum wage is $9.47 an hour. The federal minimum wage is $7.25.