Aircraft Fuelers at SeaTac will continue to work after deal struck with employer

After a massive display of solidarity by 150 members of Teamsters Local 174 on Tuesday, two days of successful bargaining resulted in a fully-recommended settlement offer that will bring the respect these hardworking Teamsters deserve.  The group had been teetering on a strike that would have devastated air travel through SeaTac airport, but today’s announcement means that a labor dispute has been successfully averted. The nonstop marathon of negotiations on Thursday and Friday included members of Swissport’s highest levels of management, some of whom flew cross the Atlantic Ocean to participate in the bargaining. Members will vote on the deal next Tuesday.

“After the unanimous strike vote on Tuesday, we told Swissport they needed to return to negotiations with a renewed sense of urgency to reaching a deal or they would be on strike,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “We are pleased to announce that they did exactly that, bringing in managers with decision-making power and industry knowledge that allowed us to work together to reach a deal we know our members will be proud to ratify. I applaud management’s commitment to investing in our members, and our attention will now focus on the consortium of major airlines at SeaTac, as well as the Port of Seattle management, to provide the funds necessary for a living wage in the Seattle market. We welcome any local politicians who are willing to assist in this endeavor.”