Last April 28 over 300 Sea Tac Airport employees, labor advocates, and politicians gathered at a park just east of the runways by South 188th St. and International Blvd. for over an hour of speeches, then marched south in a parade. They complained of bad working conditions including low salaries, generally minimum wage or lower, paid to taxi drivers, jet fuelers, skycaps and others.

Their struggle continues. The Port of Seattle, and the individual airline companies lease out sectors of jobs to other companies. Workers complain that the Port and airlines therefore take no responsibility for their working conditions. The Port told the Highline Times they have made an effort to assist, but that legally they cannot interfere with contractors.

On Friday, May 25, A delegation of protesters approached Bags, Inc., the company just awarded Delta Air Lines Wheelchair and Skycap Contracts for Delta Airlines. Protesters included airline workers, and community activists including Working Washington, Faith Action Network, and the Church Council of Greater Seattle. They complained that when Bags, Inc. took over from the former contractor FSS, three longtime Sky Cap employees were fired after each of the over 100 employees had to reapply for their jobs, Hosea Wilcox, Alejandro Geracio and Baltazar Pineda. Collectively they have worked over 70 years for Delta.

One week later, June 1, they returned and "occupied" the Delta ticket counter. Eventually a representative from Bags, Inc. spoke to them but nothing was resolved.

On Friday, June 8, about 40 protesters pushed smart carts in formation around the Delta ticket counter and outside by the Sky Cap station. Protestors are prohibited from holding signs inside the airport, so they taped signs to empty luggage they'd placed on the carts to get the attention of passengers and employees in the crowded terminal.

Hosea Wilcox, 51, and some of his supporters, believe he was fired after 31 years on the job, singled out because he was "the face" on the "Itsourairport.org" website and other promotional material complaining about conditions. He had also given a speech at the April 28 rally and spoke to media on behalf of disgruntled airport employees.

"They told me I was fired because all the positions were filled," Hosea told the Highline TImes while stationed at his Sky Cap spot outside Delta June 8 as protesters walked by him pushing the carts. He is working his last week there. He makes minimum wage, and is considered an independent contractor.

"I'm like, 'No way. I've got 31 years in,'" he said. "Everyone knows it is because of my affiliation with this protest. In less than a week. 31 years is just gone. It's sad. Heartbreaking.

"Overall it's a good job," he added. "I know my craft. I've been doing it for years. For somebody to just snatch the carpet up from under me, it's not fair. And if it can happen to me, it can happen to you."

"None of the employers are taking responsibility right now," said Jonathan Rosenblum, Campaign Director, Working Washington. "Somebody should be an adult in the room and stand up and take responsibility and say, 'We'll take care of the situation'. These three gentlemen have provided excellent service to passengers collectively and deserve respect, and should be able to keep their jobs."

Working Washington: Call Roy Tschumi, Delta Airlines Sea-Tac Station Manager at 206.988.7499. Tell him to make sure that these skycaps keep their jobs. If you are on Twitter you can send a tweet mentioning @deltaassist.