Socialist Alternative

Kshama Sawant Arrested Defending SeaTac Workers’ Right to $15 Wage

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In November 2013 in SeaTac, a suburb of Seattle, a majority of voters passed Proposition 1 establishing a minimum wage of $15/hour for airport related workers.  Alaska Airlines and other corporations have strongly resisted implementing the democratic decision of the voters. Socialist Alternative Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant issued this statement after she was arrested yesterday defending SeaTac airport workers’ right to a $15/hour minimum wage.

“It was the courage of SeaTac workers and their victory at the ballot that made $15/hour possible in Seattle. 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.”

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Media Coverage

Seattle Times: Sawant among 4 arrested in Sea-Tac minimum wage protest

The Stranger: Council Member Kshama Sawant and Three Others Arrested in SeaTac While Protesting Minimum Wage Lawsuit

King 5:  Seattle councilmember Sawant arrested in minimum wage protest

My Northwest: Seattle councilmember Kshama Sawant arrested at SeaTac protest

Huffington Post: Seattle Councilwoman Kshama Sawant Arrested While Protesting Airline Workers’ Wages

Working Washington: Four Arrested Outside Alaska Airlines HQ in SeaTac After 100 Protest the Company’s $15 Robbery

Reuters: Seattle city council member arrested in wage-hike protest

CBS Seattle: Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant Arrested At Protest In SeaTac

Common Dreams: Seattle Councilwoman Kshama Sawant Among Those Arrested at Minimum Wage Protest

Daily Kos: Seattle’s Socialist City Council member arrested at SeaTac Airport Minimum Wage protest

Highline Times: Seattle’s Socialist City Council member arrested at SeaTac Airport Minimum Wage protest

Komo News: Seattle city councilmember Sawant arrested during protest

Publicola: Councilmember Kshama Sawant Arrested

Puget Sound Business Journal: Seattle Councilwoman Kshama Sawant arrested at Alaska Airlines protest

Q13: Seattle City Council’s Sawant, 3 others arrested at protest over lawsuit to block $15 wage

“As she was led away in cuffs, I asked Councilwoman Sawant what the mayor was going to say about this. “Why don’t you ask him!” she laughed.” / “As she was led away in cuffs, I asked Councilwoman Sawant what the mayor was going to say about this. “Why don’t you ask him!” she laughed.” @BrandiKruse

“@cmkshama just got out of jail, told me with what airlines are doing, they should be the ones behind bars.” @NatashaKIRO7

Update: Kshama Swant was charged on December 3rd, 2014

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