A union is only as strong as its ability to show up for its members. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my career, and it shapes the work I bring to the Port of Seattle Commission.
I'm proud to share that the Commission unanimously adopted Order No. 2026-04 last week, which I introduced and co-sponsored with Commissioner Ryan Calkins. The order directs our Executive Director to explore a program that would provide a defined group of union business representatives with limited access to the secure side of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
More than 22,000 workers across more than 100 employers keep SEA running every day. Many of them are union members. And right now, union representatives face real barriers to reaching the people they serve — escorted visits that pull workers off the floor, logistical hurdles, and inconsistent access depending on which employer a worker has. That's not good enough.
This order directs staff to evaluate options, including a model like SEA's existing Visitor Pass program, while ensuring full TSA compliance and maintaining the security required by our airport. Any program will include clear eligibility limits, background checks, training requirements, and an explicit prohibition on organizing activities in the secure area.
This is about making sure that workers at SEA have advocates who can reach them. When workers thrive, our airport thrives.
All my best,
Toshiko Grace Hasegawa
Commissioner, Port of Seattle
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