Minimum Wage Increase Partially Struck Down in SeaTac

A Washington state judge has struck part of the voter-approved $15 an hour minimum wage measure for airport workers in SeaTac.

King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas says the measure applies to about 1,600 hotel and parking lot workers in the city of SeaTac, but does not apply to employees and contractors working within Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which is operated by the Port of Seattle.

Darvas said the state Legislature has given municipalities like the Port of Seattle "exclusive jurisdiction" over their operations.

Supporters of the measure say they will file an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Last month voters in the city of SeaTac narrowly approved the measure, which would apply to around 6,000 workers at the airport and related industries, like hotels and rental car companies.