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New Bill Promises Living Wages and Benefits for Airport Workers

April 20, 2023

Washington D.C.: A new proposed law called the “Good Jobs for Good Airports Act” aims to ensure airport service workers in the United States receive a living wage and important benefits like health care. The law would help create fair working conditions for airport employees and improve airport safety and security nationwide.

Representative Jesús García from Illinois introduced the law. It would apply to small, medium, and large airports that get money from the federal government or federally authorized fees. By focusing on airports that get federal support, the legislation seeks to ensure taxpayer money is used to promote fair labor practices and keep a well-trained aviation workforce.

Representative García said the legislation ensures that the people who help airports run smoothly are treated fairly and receive the benefits they need to support their families. He emphasized the important role that airport service workers have in keeping airports safe and functioning.

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The law would create a system to balance aviation-sector interests without causing major disruptions for the flying public. Airport sponsors would need to certify every year that they pay their service workers a wage and benefits that follow the law. This certification process would help ensure airports are transparent about their labor practices.

The Secretary of Transportation would be in charge of making sure everyone follows the new rules. This oversight would help maintain fairness among airports and ensure that the benefits of the legislation reach the workers it’s meant for.

“Just as airplanes don’t fly without pilots, our aviation system would collapse without airport service workers. Unfortunately, airport workers are often overworked and underpaid. This isn’t just bad for workers, it’s bad for travelers too,” stated Senator Ed Markey, a sponsor of the bill. 

Earlier this year, airport employees urged airlines to address the low-paying jobs at airports. However, with no response from airline CEOs, airport workers took their demands to their elected representatives.

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“I’m here humbly to ask all of Congress to pass this bill,” expressed Ababuti Oloki, a skycap at Boston Logan International Airport.

While some airport service workers have secured better wages and benefits in an increasing number of states, localities, and airport authorities, numerous major airports still lack any minimum standards beyond the minimum wage. An airport service worker in one city might earn $18/hour for the same job that a worker in another city receives as little as $8/hour.

“The safety of everyone in the planes depends on us, but we’re not respected for the work we do. We make low wages,” said Verna Montalvo, a cabin cleaner at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act of 2022 intends to establish national wage and benefits standards for airport service workers at major airports receiving federal funds. Its goal is to stabilize air travel and ensure there is sufficient, well-trained staff to maintain a strong, safe, and secure aviation system.

The legislation has gained support from members of the CWA, Unite Here!, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), the Transport Workers Union (TWU), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO).

The law would apply to airport grants and terminal programs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Funding for airport infrastructure and terminals would depend on whether the airports follow the labor standards for service workers. This approach encourages airports to adopt fair labor practices to get the funding they need for improvements and expansions.

Labor unions support the proposed law because they’ve long pushed for better working conditions and wages for airport service workers. Some airport operators also support the legislation, as they see the benefits of having a stable, well-paid workforce for improving airport security and efficiency.

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The “Good Jobs for Good Airports Act” has been sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for more consideration. The committee will likely examine the bill’s details, potential impacts, and any needed changes before it goes to a vote.

If passed, the law would help airport service workers get the minimum wages and benefits they need to support their families and help keep the nation’s airports safe and secure. 

Read the Good Jobs for Good Airports Act >>

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