Airport workers may get raises

Airport service workers in Broward County would get raises under a proposal to extend the county’s “living wage” ordinance.

County Commissioners will consider the proposal Tuesday, at the urging of commissioner and Vice Mayor Martin David Kiar.

If approved, service contractors to any county airport would earn at least $11.68 an hour. Currently, passenger-service workers report average wages of $7.46 per hour overall and $8.14 for non-tipped work- ers, according to a union report filed with the commission.

Broward County’s current living wage ordinance does not apply to airline service contractors, which include those who transport passengers, handle baggage delivery or do maintenance, waste disposal and other services for the airlines.

Kiar said some airportservice workers employed by outside contractors “are not paid what they deserve and enough to feed their families.”

The union is urging air-

port operators in Broward County to follow Miami-Dade County in setting a minimum wage and benefit standards for passenger-service workers.

The proposal would bring wages up to at least $11.68 for airport-service workers who receive qualifying health benefits and $13.20 for those who don’t.

Employers in Florida must pay a current minimum of $8.05 an hour, according to state law.