It’s plane wrong!
Airport crews rip delay on promised pay hikes
Airport workers said Thursday they can’t wait any longer for minimum wage hike, as Port Authority officials delayed a vote on the raise.
The workers packed a hearing where Port Authority big wigs added an extra 30 days to the public comment period for the vote to boost wages to $19 an hour at minimum, while closing the wage gap between New York and New Jersey airports. The Port Authority board now plans to vote on this in September.
Ashley Asie, 29, a bartender and server with OTG Management at Newark Airport, told PA board members that the pay jump will mean happy workers and better service.
But even after her testimony, Asie said she was doubtful the wage bump would pass.
“There’s just always a reason why they need more time,” Asie said. “This is what I’m used to now.”
Unlike agency brass, Asie claims she and her colleagues don’t have time to waste. “You’re making six figures a year, this is not an issue for you,” she said. “So you shouldn’t delay me being able to get the same quality of life as you have.”
Vladimir Clairjeune, a maintenance worker at Kennedy Airport, testified to the Port Authority board that he has to take every opportunity for overtime to avoid living paycheck to paycheck.
“It’s kinda hard, as an adult, not making a salary that reflects your age,” he said. “It’s kind of hard to be broke at 30. I don’t even have a car.”
Port Authority officials delayed the final vote because of concerns raised during the public comment process.
The industry trade group Airlines for America called into question the legality of Port Authority setting a minimum wage, which the group opposed.
“Our position hasn’t changed. We welcome the Port’s decision to continue its review of the pending wage proposal. A4A members fully comply with all state minimum wage laws and our members don’t take a position on what the statewide minimum should be," Airlines for America spokeswoman Alison McAfee said. “However, whatever rate the state government might set, that rate should apply to all employees of New York and New Jersey.”
There were four other issues raised that the Port Authority wants more time to address, including tipped workers, benefits, prices on goods sold at airports and small employers.
“Late-breaking comments with some very complex issues were brought to the fore. We had to do our due diligence,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said. “We’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right. We don’t want to think because we didn’t take the extra 30 days that this will fall on some false foundation in the future.”
In 2014, the Daily News highlighted the campaign to raise minimum hourly pay for low-wage airport workers — who often toiled long hours and were sometimes forced to rely on government assistance to survive.
The effort gained steam when new leadership at the Port Authority — with the support of Gov. Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy — backed the wage increase to $19 an hour in 2023.
Labor groups Unite Here and 32BJ SEIU organized people to fight for the wage increase.
“What you have is a lot of workers who’ve been fighting for six years for this, and can’t pay their rent next month and can’t pay bills and are deciding between food and child care while this gets delayed yet again,” said Rob Hill, vice president of 32BJ SEIU. “It’s good to hear that the Port says they’re still committed to it. It’s good to hear both governors say they’re committed to it.”