State to investigate claims of unsafe conditions at Sea-Tac
SEATAC, Wash. -- A group of Sea-Tac Airport workers say their daily work routine is filled with safety violations and health hazards, and others say they're being short changed on pay.
The workers claim they're exposed to jet fuel, harsh chemicals and even human waste. Others say they are required to work extra hours without pay.
The federal government investigated those claims and found no violations, and now state inspectors are stepping in.
The dozens of workers who have stepped forward with complaints say their jobs are no longer safe, and they point to airplane refueling trucks run by ASIG, which they say often leak.
"At least once a day I'll go out and something's leaking, leaking jet fuel somewhere. And while they'll go out and fix it, it will be back in a maintenance bay within a few days," said fuel truck worker Leon Sams.
Yusur Adan, who takes disabled passengers to their gates in wheelchairs, said Bags Incorporated requires her to start working before she clocks in. She said she loses a half hour in wages every day.
Those workers and others have filed complaints with the Department of Labor and Industries against four separate companies alleging heath and safety violations and wage theft. The workers say the airlines are the real problem because they hired the companies in question.
"We think that Alaska Airlines, ultimately, and other airlines are responsible for stepping up and solving this problem," said Genevieve Aguilar of Puget Sound Sage.
A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines said the company looked into the complaints, but didn't find any problems.
Officials for Bags Incorporated say the company is committed to the proper training and safety of its employees and will fully cooperate with the Department of Labor and Industries.
Earlier this year the Federal Aviation Administration investigated similar concerns about refueling trucks and other operations and didn't find any violations. Workers say the hazards are part of their daily existence and are getting support from others in the airline industry.
"The flight attendants at Alaska, we see the broken equipment, we see the conditions they are exposed to, and it breaks our hearts," said Laura Masserant, a flight attendant with Alaska Airlines.
Labor and Industries started up a comprehensive round of inspections earlier this week and say it could be months before their investigation is complete.
The workers claim they're exposed to jet fuel, harsh chemicals and even human waste. Others say they are required to work extra hours without pay.
The federal government investigated those claims and found no violations, and now state inspectors are stepping in.
The dozens of workers who have stepped forward with complaints say their jobs are no longer safe, and they point to airplane refueling trucks run by ASIG, which they say often leak.
"At least once a day I'll go out and something's leaking, leaking jet fuel somewhere. And while they'll go out and fix it, it will be back in a maintenance bay within a few days," said fuel truck worker Leon Sams.
Yusur Adan, who takes disabled passengers to their gates in wheelchairs, said Bags Incorporated requires her to start working before she clocks in. She said she loses a half hour in wages every day.
Those workers and others have filed complaints with the Department of Labor and Industries against four separate companies alleging heath and safety violations and wage theft. The workers say the airlines are the real problem because they hired the companies in question.
"We think that Alaska Airlines, ultimately, and other airlines are responsible for stepping up and solving this problem," said Genevieve Aguilar of Puget Sound Sage.
A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines said the company looked into the complaints, but didn't find any problems.
Officials for Bags Incorporated say the company is committed to the proper training and safety of its employees and will fully cooperate with the Department of Labor and Industries.
Earlier this year the Federal Aviation Administration investigated similar concerns about refueling trucks and other operations and didn't find any violations. Workers say the hazards are part of their daily existence and are getting support from others in the airline industry.
"The flight attendants at Alaska, we see the broken equipment, we see the conditions they are exposed to, and it breaks our hearts," said Laura Masserant, a flight attendant with Alaska Airlines.
Labor and Industries started up a comprehensive round of inspections earlier this week and say it could be months before their investigation is complete.
Whaaaaaaaaa, poor wittle wittle babies getting poo poo and zoom zoom jet drips on their poor wittle selves....NEWSFLASH: This leakage has been around since airports and planes existed. Option 1: Wear gloves and outer protective clothing.  Option 2:   QUIT if you don't like it. Problem solved.
Wow, you refuel aircraft and you are exposed to jet fuel? Really? Tell me more. You get gasoline on your hands when you fuel your car too.
Here's and idea. Not clocked in? Don't work. Just because you are there does not mean you HAVE to work if asked. You can say "hey, i'm not clocked in yet" or "Let me clock in first"
 @Jalharad Yeah and then they get fired. You must not have worked a real job anytime lately.
@NorthwestEconomist @Jalharad I have worked real jobs for my whole life and have never been asked to work off the clock. I am a manager and I go out of my way to make sure everyone has clocked in before they start working. Companies and management are not inheriently evil.
Safety First! Right after Profits.
Puget Sound Sage is a front group for all the GimmeNow Crowd/Usual Suspects. Just go to their website and all the usual platitudes and attitudes are there. Although...a clenched fist holding a green leaf is a nice whimsical touch for their logo but a clenched fist with a baseball bat would have been more honest. Patooey.
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http://www.pugetsoundsage.org/index.php
"The federal government investigated those claims and found no violations."
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These aren't by chance non-union jobs? I mean our Purple Friends (SEIU) have nothing to do with this, right?
 @Getov Mylon Dunno, your friends at SEIU would have probably sent them in WA State L&I's direction from the onset of a wage and hour claim. According to this story, the wage and hour claim was incorrectly directed to the "government" along with chemical, fuel and human waste issues. KOMO could have it wrong I guess but, L&I would be the first stop for wage and hour claims.
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If those people are Union and seeing fuel leaking beside any aircraft that has people on-board while refueling, they should be reporting it to the people on board and getting them away from the potential bar-b-que quick and then call the FAA. If they are non-union, they should keep their mouths shut and pretend its cool and act real surprised when 278 people come up toasted. The only real surprise will be when the adjacent aircraft filled with people are on fire also due to the first explosions and there is no way off due to stampedes.
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Airline Deregulation was so well thought out before implementation huh? I am sure the consumer will be counting the pennys saved while stepping over and around charred remains.
 @T_BONE_WALKER  @Getov Mylon "Airline Deregulation was so well thought out before implementation huh?"
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Well, its been around about since Carter signed off on it in 1978. Don't see no evidence of charred bodies dropping from the sky.
 @Getov Mylon Regan signed off on it Carter started it. What does that have to do with the impending bar be que or SEIU?
 @T_BONE_WALKER  @Getov Mylon I doubt these are union employees, they could file grievances if they were. Most likely they'll be fired for complaining. Aren't non-union jobs great? Don't worry about your safety when you fly, I'm sure it's fine.
Safety requires effective communications among workers and many of those airport workers speak little or no English. Â They are unable to communicate with each other, let alone their superiors. Â Of course English fluency could never be enforced as an employment requirement, that would be [OMG] *discriminatory*. Â Political correctness is much more important than worker safety...??
 @Biggg Donnn actually they can require english fluency as part of the employment requirement...they just don't.