After years of negotiation between unionized airport workers and the Port Authority Board, New York and New Jersey airport workers have finally received a raise. On November 1, 2018, the minimum wage increased to $13.60 an hour for workers at New York’s John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia and to $12.45 an hour for workers at Newark Liberty. The minimum wage rates will continue to increase to $19 per hour by 2023.
The Port Authority Board of Commissioners’ decision to raise workers’ pay came after a period of extensive public input on the issue. The Board received approximately 800 written comments from workers, businesses, academic experts, and elected officials. During this process, the Board found that 30 percent of privately employed workers at Port Authority airports turn over every year, with the turnover rate having increased by 50 percent since 2010. Airports in other parts of the country, however, have turnover rates as low as 6 percent. So by increasing the minimum wage, the Board anticipates the employee turnover to decrease. This as a result will create a stable workforce and increase workers’ job performance. Workers will become more knowledgeable about security processes and be better prepared for emergencies.
Both New York and New Jersey’s governors have released statements supporting the minimum wage increase. Governor Cuomo stated, “This campaign is about respect and paying a fair, living wage for honest work in an industry that depends on its employees to safely operate some of the most important public facilities in our nation – our airports.” Similarly, Governor Murphy stated, “While the Port Authority’s decision to boost wages for workers is an important step toward a stronger and fairer economy that works for everyone, we cannot give up until all of New Jersey’s workers earn a living wage. I am confident that Port Authority’s decision to boost wages for airport workers will increase both morale and productivity, something that will hopefully inspire other employers to take similar steps.”