After Years of Battle, Minimum Wage Hike Coming for Airport Workers

After a union-led battle that lasted over six years, airport workers in New York and New Jersey have secured a $19 an hour minimum wage. Thursday, the Port Authority board unanimously voted on the wage hike, which will be phased in over five years.

"I figured it would never happen," said 37-year-old Yasmeen Holmes, who's worked security at Newark Liberty Airport for 16 years. "Maybe now I won't have to do so much overtime, and I can stay home with my kids."

Roll call. And airport workers get a minimum wage hike. @WNYC pic.twitter.com/poe8qFe5aa

— Rebeca Ibarra (@RebeIbarraC) September 27, 2018

The first pay jump comes Nov. 1, and workers like Holmes will get the biggest immediate raise — from $10.45 to $12.45 an hour. Because of the differences in minimum wage between New York and New Jersey, Jersey employees have been making an average of $2 less than their counterparts in JFK and La Guardia.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo testified at the hearing and called the Port Authority out on the disparity.

"How can you operate with two different wage structures for essentially the same jobs, just miles apart?" Cuomo asked. 

The campaign to raise wages began in 2011. Finally in March of this year, the Port Authority board announced they'd approve the hike, only to delay the vote several months. Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said the board wanted to make sure the final plan was "bulletproof."

"We're confident this is the right decision that will withstand the test of time and any judicial scrutiny," O’Toole said.

The airline industry has opposed the hike, saying it could lead to increased costs for travelers. When reached by email, a spokesman for United Airlines wouldn't say if the company plans to fight the raises in court. 

“Our employees are critical to the airline’s success, which is why we do more than comply with minimum wage laws. We offer a competitive benefit package that includes quality health care, vacation days and, even flight privileges to attract the best talent we can find to serve our customers,” United said in a statement.

The plan calls for pay parity across the local airports by September 2019, when the minimum wage will increase to $15.60. The plan covers around 40,000 contracted employees. 

"I'm just so thankful and happy," said 64-year-old Gertrudis Lopez Ortiz, who's been an overnight cabin cleaner at Newark for about 12 years. "We've been waiting and fighting for this moment for a very long time."