COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8a 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting     February 26, 2019 
DATE:     January 18, 2019 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    David McFadden, Managing Director 
Joe Meyer, Economic Development Manager 
SUBJECT:  Contract to educate and assist workers and employers at Sea-Tac International
Airport about labor and employment laws 
Amount of this request:                     $531,000 
Total estimated contract cost:                $531,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to advertise and  execute a
contract to provide services to educate and assist workers and employers at Seattle-Tacoma 
International Airport about labor and employment laws for two years and an amount not to
exceed $531,000. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The Port of Seattle is planning to implement a two-year pilot program to operate a Career
Support and Advancement (CSAC) center that would educate and assist workers and employers
at Sea-Tac International Airport about labor and employment laws. This initiative would be
funded by the Port property tax levy. 
The Port will issue an RFP to start providing the following services later this year at a location
accessible to Sea-Tac International airport employees: 
Develop and deliver a training curriculum for employers and employees that covers
SeaTac Municipal Code 7.45 (Minimum Employment Standards for Hospitality and
Transportation Industry Employers); and 
Provide timely and convenient assistance to workers with questions regarding relevant
labor and employment law. 
The passage of the City of SeaTac Ordinance 13-1020 (Prop 1) created a network of benefits
and rights unique to the City of SeaTac and different from state statute. The lack of
understanding of employment rights and responsibilities under the new ordinance has led to an
increase in grievances. This pilot program will be designed to help mitigate some of the
complaints  from  Prop-1-impacted  employers  and  workers  concerning  wage  and  other
employment compliance matters. 

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8a__                              Page 2 of 6 
Meeting Date: February 26, 2019 
JUSTIFICATION 
The Port of Seattle would like to emphasize the purpose for action. There are thousands of
employees working at the airport on shifts covering all hours of the day. As the operator of this
regional asset, we have a responsibility to see that it is run as efficiently as possible. One of the
issues that impedes this efficiency is the confusion that many employees have with respect to
the wage and benefits laws that govern the airport.  This confusion has led to erroneous
application of the required standards, leading to workers feeling that they are not receiving
what they are entitled to, and in turn leading to disputes that are costly in time and resources
for both employers and employees.
Approving this authorization will allow the Port to establish a more stable workplace
environment at the airport by educating employees and employers with respect to the rules
and regulations applicable to the airport.  This will reduce friction between employers and
employees, and foster an environment where workers can focus on their jobs and not be
distracted by confusion as to their rights.  This is especially important in a time when worker
retention is important in a competitive hiring environment.  The benefits the employers will
reap from this improved situation will make the Airport an even more attractive place to do
business, furthering the Port's economic development goals of growing our businesses for the
benefit of the community and our customers at the Airport.
At the Port of Seattle, a strong workplace is built upon workers understanding their rights, the
ability to raise issues with their employers and work together to address them. 
Strategy 3 of the Port's Century Agenda directs that we "use the port's influence as an
institution to promote women and minority business enterprise (WMBE) growth, small business
growth, and workforce development." As part of the Port's commitment to workforce
development, this pilot program aims to educate and assist workers and employers at Sea-Tac
International Airport about labor and employment matters and provide complementary efforts
to our other initiatives such as Port Jobs and Airport University. 
DETAILS 
The Port seeks to enhance knowledge about and compliance with SeaTac Municipal Code 7.45
and other local, state, and federal employment standards at Sea-Tac International Airport
during a two-year pilot program to: 
Increase worker retention and reduce employee complaints related to SeaTac Municipal
Code 7.45 and other local, state, and federal employment standards; 
Help employees facing linguistic, cultural, social, or economic barriers learn about and
understand their rights and responsibilities under SeaTac Municipal Code 7.45 and other
local, state, and federal employment standards; 
Connect to stakeholders and other community-based organizations serving business and
employee groups to conduct outreach, training, and education related to employment
matters; and 

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8a__                              Page 3 of 6 
Meeting Date: February 26, 2019 
Promote knowledge and understanding of SeaTac Municipal Code 7.45 and other local,
state, and federal employment standards among the airport's business owners,
managers, and compliance professionals; 
Coordinate with labor partners who represent airport workers. 
The Port of Seattle will encourage community-based organizations, business associations,
chambers of commerce, municipalities, and other entities to develop partnerships to compete 
for this contract. 
Scope of Work 
Task 1: Employee and Employer Outreach and Education 
1.1. Consultant shall develop a training curriculum for employees and employers that
cover SeaTac Municipal Code 7.45 and other local, state, and federal employment
standards focusing on what these laws do and do not provide. 
1.2. Consultant shall develop curriculum and produce materials for "know your rights"
and health and safety training for employees. 
1.3. Consultant shall conduct outreach, training, and education to employees working at
Sea-Tac International Airport to promote awareness and understanding of their
employment rights under SeaTac Municipal Code 7.45 and other local, state, and
federal  employment  standards.  The  consultant  shall  develop  and  produce  all
outreach and education materials. 
1.4. Consultant shall conduct outreach and education to employers operating at Sea-Tac
International Airport to promote awareness and understanding of SeaTac Municipal
Code 7.45 and other local, state, and federal employment standards and to build a
"culture of compliance" among employers. The consultant shall provide outreach and
education activities to new Port tenants and new employers operating at Sea-Tac
International Airport. The consultant shall develop and produce all outreach and
education materials. 
1.5. Consultant shall continue to partner with community-based organizations and labor
unions to identify workers and issues that need to be raised and addressed. 
Task 1 Deliverable(s): Electronically submit monthly narratives in Word format disclosing
participation in community events, program orientations, presentations, and other outreach
activities to increase awareness of SeaTac Municipal Code 7.45 and other local, state, and
federal employment standards to employees and employers. Consultant shall manage this
process and determine which methods they find most effective. Monthly narratives shall total
24 before contract expiration. Additionally, the consultant shall produce 2 program reports
addressing program metrics collected during the first 12 months of the program and the second
12 months of the program. 


Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8a__                              Page 4 of 6 
Meeting Date: February 26, 2019 
Task 2: Employment Assistance Services 
1.1. Consultant shall provide employment assistance to existing employees working at Sea-
Tac International Airport to help employees understand their rights under SeaTac
Municipal Code 7.45 and other local, state,  and federal employment standards. 
Assistance service hours must be focused on when employees are most likely to access
services. Hours of employment assistance operations may be adjusted during the
contract period based on when employees are seeking services. Basic employment
assistance services will be offered to any clients that seek services. Consultant shall
work with  the Port of Seattle to determine how employee complaints regarding
employer compliance violations will be handled. 
1.2. Consultant shall consider providing virtual assistance options for employees seeking
assistance by phone, email, or mobile device during work hours and after work hours.
Virtual assistance services must focus on employee usability, language needs, access to
technology, and hours which employees most frequently seek services. Hours of virtual
employment assistance operations may be adjusted during the contract period based
on when employees are seeking services. 
Task 2 Deliverable(s): Electronically submit monthly narratives in Word format disclosing the
types of employment assistance services and referrals administered for clients and the
outcomes associated with the administered services. Consultant shall manage this process and
determine which methods they find most effective. Monthly narratives shall total 24 before
contract expiration. Additionally, the consultant shall produce 2 program reports addressing
program metrics collected during the first 12 months of the program and the second 12 months
of the program. 
Next Steps 
If the Commission authorizes the pilot program, the Economic Development Division (EDD) will
work with Central Procurement Office (CPO) to develop and issue a competitive request for
proposals (RFP) to provide these services.
The RFP will include a performance based scope of work that clearly defines the performance
objectives and standards the Port is seeking. Proposers will provide their plan for meeting the
objectives. This plan will be evaluated so that Port has the opportunity to select the plan that
best meets our objectives.  Specifically Proposers address how they will deliver outreach,
education and counseling services  will training or counseling be in person, on the phone or
on line; how the proposer will address language barriers, etc; and specific location of venue and
accessibility (bidder would need to pay for space at airport per FAA regulations). 
The RFP may include parameters and/or evaluation criteria around things we value (such as the
location for services to ensure they are at or proximate to Sea-Tac International airport and
easily accessible -- good public transportation and parking).  We will select the proposer who
offers the Port the best value or best solution, taking into account the contract price.

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8a__                              Page 5 of 6 
Meeting Date: February 26, 2019 
Schedule 
January 14-31        Notify Seattle-Tacoma International Airport employers and labor partners
to get input on the pilot 
February 4            Prep final scope of services/Commission authorization request 
February 26          Commission authorizes RFP/Contract execution for services 
April 1                  Issue RFP for services 
July                      Preferred respondent selected to provide service 
July                      Update to Commission 
Sept./Oct.             Service starts 
Outreach and Employer Engagement 
Staff organized two forums for employers located at Seattle-Tacoma International airport in
early February to provide details about the Career Support and Advancement Center (CSAC) 
(one was canceled due to lack of attendance). Airport employers unable to attend these
orientation sessions received forum materials. Companies attending the  forum had several
questions about the proposed center: 
What happens after the two-year pilot concludes? 
Will airport tenants and employers have an opportunity to provide feedback once an
RFP is developed? 
How will this proposed center integrate with Port Jobs and Airport Jobs, since many
airport tenants and employers use them for employee recruitment? 
Staff was able to answer these questions and others raised during the meeting. Comments
about the proposed services were generally favorable. One employee asked staff to establish
clear "guardrails" for CSAC responsibilities, including the types of employee referrals and advice
it  can  offer.  Another  forum  participant  emphasized  that  the  proposed  CSAC  should  not
duplicate existing resources but complement them. 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1  Delay or postpone service 
Cost Implications: $0 
Pros: 
(1)   Saves the Port funding that can be used to support other projects/initiatives 
(2)   Avoids political or legal challenges from employers 
Cons: 
(1)   Does not address ongoing problems facing employers and employees at  Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport 
(2)   PortJobs and other airport workforce services do not offer these services 
This is not the recommended alternative. 

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8a__                              Page 6 of 6 
Meeting Date: February 26, 2019 
Alternative 2  Provide service on a 2-year pilot basis 
Cost Implications: $531,000 over two years 
Pros: 
(1)   Provides valuable service especially considering SeaTac Municipal Code 7.45 
(2)   Service complements other Port workforce services at Seattle-Tacoma International
Airport 
Cons: 
(1)   Services may not be supported by all Seattle-Tacoma International Airport employers 
(2)   There is no concrete plan or commitment to operate service past pilot period 
This is the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 3  Offer a more minimal pilot program 
Cost Implications: Approximately $250,000 - 300,000 
Pros: 
(1)   Starts service at a smaller scale so it is easier to roll out 
(2)   Allows Port and contracting partner to gauge what works/is most effective 
Cons: 
(1)   Services cannot be offered effectively on a piecemeal basis 
(2)   Difficult to cover and manage all potential issues at Seattle-Tacoma International
Airport 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
The cost for the two-year pilot is $531,000. The initiative is funded within the 2019 Operating
Budget. This initiative is supported by the Port's property tax levy. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
(1)   Presentation slides 
(2)   Summary of Employer Outreach forum 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
November 27, 2018  The Commission approved Motion 2018-14  Plan of Finance that
directed the Executive Director to establish a pilot program to educate and assist workers at
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. 


Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.