Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact Information
Cynthia Santana
Phone: 206-256-5219
Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov

More Than $190,000 Returned to Workers in Office of Labor Standards Settlement with SMS International Shore Operations US, Inc.

Seattle WA (September 23, 2026) – The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) investigated SMS International Shore Operations US, Inc. (SMS) for alleged violations of the Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) and Wage Theft Ordinances. The company settled the allegations and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $190,502.25 to 688 employees and $2,839.60 to the City of Seattle.

OLS alleged that the employer violated the PSST Ordinance by:

• Failing to provide employees with the required notice regarding PSST accrual
• Implementing an attendance policy that interfered with employees’ use of PSST
• Failing to include all required information in their PSST policy
• Failing to display the OLS Workplace poster

The companies agreed to provide employees with proper notification of PSST accrual, develop and implement a compliant written PSST policy, and implement rest break policies. 

OLS also alleged that SMS violated the Wage Theft Ordinance by failing to provide employees with all required rest breaks.

“PSST and wage theft remain the top violations among businesses. In this instance, the employees worked on the piers checking in customers. Regardless of what their workplace surrounding may be, these workers were covered by Seattle’s labor laws, and their employer was required to follow them,” said OLS Director Steve Marchese.

“For years, I asked SMS’s onsite leadership to provide legally mandated breaks, but they repeatedly told me we were expected ‘to do the right thing’ by refusing breaks. I often emailed SMS's HR head in Miami to demand SMS obey the law and inform us of our benefits,” said SMS worker Vid Hardt. “I realized I had to involve Seattle OLS as a last resort. I’m grateful for OLS's work in attaining this substantial settlement for the 688 of us who had our wages and benefits stolen from us.”

The global cruise logistics provider has more than 500 employees worldwide and operates at Piers 66 and 91 in Seattle.

Visit Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance webpage and the Wage Theft webpage to learn more about the ordinances or call 206-256-5297. We will never ask for immigration status.

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