Airport workers’ salaries studied

After a union’s push for a living wage, OIA agrees to evaluate workers’ salaries.

Orlando International Airport’s authority agreed Wednesday to evaluate salary and benefits for thousands of workers in response to a union’s push for a living wage.

The Service Employees International Union and its Florida chapter, Local 32BJ, are contending that wheelchair attendants, baggage handlers, customerservice agents, security officers, cabin cleaners and other employees contracted by airlines are enduring “sweatshop working conditions.”

The authority considered a recent study done by the union, which concludes that 78 percent of workers earn $20,000 or less and 47 percent have no healthcare coverage.

Orlando International, the nation’s 11th-busiest airport, hosts 21,000 workers of government agencies, airlines, restaurants and others employers.

The wage survey and study that the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority agreed to pursue would not be complete until next spring.

Airport director Phil Brown said the airport has authority to set into motion requirements for living wages among the hundreds of companies at the airport.

The authority’s chairman, Frank Kruppenbacher, initially resisted further action on the union’s call for a wage of $15 an hour.

“I guess part of my concern is embarking upon expensive work for an issue that is raised by an organization that raises issues and politically pushes issues,” Kruppenbacher said. “We’ve lived here and not seen this issue. We’ve not heard of this issue.”

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer countered that the airport is “one of the main economic engines in Central Florida.”

“I think it is incumbent to be fair to all of the people who work here,” Dyer said. “I had no idea people were being paid $5.23 and maybe they’re getting tips and maybe they’re not. I think it’s worth spending a little time and money to figure out what is the economic reality.”

While the authority agreed to a study, how it will be conducted and by whom was left unresolved.

Afterward, Helene O’Brien, director of the Local 32BJ, said it was a “good sign” the authority opted for a survey and study.

“But If there is not the will among people on the board, then a study is just going to bring more information,” O’Brien said. “There has to be a will among the board members to make a difference with that new information.”