Department of Transportation, The State of Idaho has issued the following press release:
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 health 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 a comprehensive round of inspections earlier this week and says it could be months before its investigation is complete.
For further information please visit: http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/
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