SEATAC, Wash. -- Socialist Seattle City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant was arrested Wednesday at a protest over Alaska Airlines' lawsuit that aims to block the $15 minimum wage for airport workers.
The demonstrators had gathered outside the Alaska Airlines corporate headquarters in the city of SeaTac.
The group "Working Washington" said about 100 Sea-Tac airport workers and community supporters were protesting the lawsuit when four people were arrested, apparently for refusing to disperse.
Sawant and the others were later released after each posted $500 bail.
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Seattle City Councilwoman arrested at protest, released from jail
Seattle City Councilwoman arrested at protest, released from jail
“It was the courage of SeaTac workers and their victory at the ballot that made $15/hour possible in Seattle," Sawant said in a statement issued Wednesday night. "I’m proud to stand with them today against Alaska Airlines’ attempted robbery.
"First, Alaska Airlines said the City of SeaTac doesn’t have the right to enforce $15/hour for airport workers, only the Port does. Now Alaska Airlines is leading the charge on a federal lawsuit claiming the Port has no authority to raise wages. Which is it?
"What’s clear is they’d rather spend millions trying to overturn democracy than pay low-wage workers what they’ve earned," Sawant said.
Besides Sawant, hose arrested were identified as
Alaska Airlines, which opposed the $15 minimum wage for airport and airport-related workers at Sea-Tac, a measure which was approved by voters, recently filed a federal lawsuit claiming the Port of Seattle -- which manages the airport -- doesn’t have the power to set minimum wages.
Yet, Working Washington said, many workers are left making little more than the statewide minimum wage of $9.32 an hour — a loss of more than $5/hour for each hour worked since January 1.
"After a year of Alaska’s lawsuits, delays, and political shenanigans, workers and community members have had enough — they’re calling on Alaska to drop the excuses, stop robbing the people who serve their passengers, and make sure airport workers finally get the $15 they won last November," the group said in a statement.