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Legislators

Airport Service Workers Crucial to Aviation Safety and Security

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighted, airport service workers play a critical role in the safety and security of the aviation system. Despite their crucial contributions, many of these workers struggle to make ends meet due to low wages and poor working conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Airport service workers, including baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants, and concession workers, are an indispensable part of the nation's aviation system, according to the GAO report.
  • Despite generating billions of dollars in revenue annually, airport service workers continue to struggle with low wages, with 7% living below the poverty line.
  • The GAO report confirms that a federal wage standard is necessary to ensure that airport service workers can make ends meet, citing examples of workers in major hubs like Charlotte, Dallas, and Phoenix who are paid so little they wonder where they'll sleep at night.
  • Airlines, such as American, need to take action to provide good union jobs that ensure airport safety and operational capability.
  • The report highlights the importance of airport workers having access to affordable healthcare, paid leave, and strong workplace protections.
  • The critical role of airport service workers has been consistently recognized by lawmakers, including Senator Edward J. Markey who fought to include language in the FAA Reauthorization Act requiring the GAO report.

Statistics:

  • Revenue generated from ground transportation, parking, and concessions amounts to billions of dollars annually for airports.
  • 7% of airport service workers live below the poverty line.
  • The GAO report highlights chronic turnover and short staffing among frontline jobs, particularly in the South.
  • The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act legislation, proposed by Senator Markey, aims to increase wages and benefits for airport service workers.

Sources:

  • Representative Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04)
  • Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.),
  • April Verrett, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
  • Claude Cummings Jr., President of the Communications Workers of America (CWA)
  • Gwen Mills, President of UNITE HERE
  • US Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report (date not specified)

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