MENU
SEARCHHertz and Thrifty will pay nearly $2 million to its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport employees in back pay owed under SeaTac’s minimum wage law, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
An agreement between the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Hertz, and Thrifty over back pay — owed under SeaTac's minimum wage law — will mean checks for thousands of dollars for numerous workers at the car rental companies' SeaTac locations.
In total, the nearly $2 million agreement is one of L&I's largest over back pay in recent history, according to a news release by L&I.
A total of 157 workers filed L&I claims for wages owed between Jan. 1, 2014, when the $15 minimum wage took effect, and Sept. 30, 2015. The latter date is when the Washington Supreme Court ruled the ordinance covered companies at the airport.
"People have a right to get paid what they've worked hard for; when they don't, L&I can help," said Joel Sacks, director of L&I. "Now that this agreement is in place, we're moving ahead to get this money into the hands of the people who worked hard for it. The funds will make a real difference for these workers and their families."
The Hertz and Thrifty workers clean, maintain, and prepare rental cars for customers. They also drive shuttles to locations around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Hertz and DTG Operations Inc. (Thrifty) formally signed the agreement Aug. 18. The companies will pay anywhere from a couple thousand dollars up to $30,000 per employee, including interest. The back wages alone total $1.51 million — with another $458,651 in interest, according to the news release.
Under the agreement, the state waived any associated penalties, and there was no admission of wrongdoing by the companies.
The companies will send L&I checks for individuals, who must sign a form freeing the employers from any further claims. If a worker can't be contacted, L&I will hold the checks for a year before sending them to the Department of Revenue as unclaimed, according to the news release.
The agreement covers additional claims for back wages other workers at Hertz and Thrifty may file through L&I. It also ends any other outstanding legal proceedings on this issue that involve L&I.
Angry car renters are storming social media, the mainstream media, and online ratings platforms to complain about charges they claim are either unfounded or excessive.
Read More →
Operators often must spend far too much time and resources trying to recoup rental cars towed away and held hostage to outrageously high fees.
Read More →
The American Car Rental Association scored more access and influence in 2025 as it grows its services for car rental operators.
Read More →
The American Vehicle Owners Alliance (AVOA) recently announced its partnership with the American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA) and the National League of Cities (NLC).
Read More →
The American Car Rental Association’s annual legislative and lobbying event upped the face time with and access to members of Congress.
Read More →
Q&A Interview: Federal contracting, EV charging infrastructure, stolen vehicles, and policy advocacy drive an agenda for Carlos Bazan-Canabal that stretches beyond his car rental executive post.
Read More →
The 30th anniversary International Car Rental Show heads to the Dallas area as it celebrates a legacy and pivots toward an industry marketplace and forum suited to the fourth decade ahead.
Read More →
Recovering stolen rental vehicles requires foresight, cooperation, and a firm grasp of legal procedures with car renters.
Read More →
With past successes and facing new realities, the American Car Rental Association centers on its theme of “performance and policy” for an upcoming conference.
Read More →
ACRA President Sharky Laguana details his harrowing experience trying to retrieve a stolen rental van from his fleet and how he pursued a long-term solution.
Read More →
