Philadelphia airport workers fight for higher wages in new contract

Philadelphia International Airport workers held a protest Tuesday to negotiate a new contract with higher hourly wages and better benefits.

BAg handlers, security guards and more said contractors had to increase their salaries from €15.71 to $17.20 an hour, plus a $4.98-an-hour health care supplement, on Jan. 1. That higher rate comes from the city’s prevailing wage law, which is set by the federal government. Daisy Cruz, District Leader for 32BJ SEIU, which represents workers, said thatThese 1,000 employees are mainly employed by American Airlines.

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During negotiations for a new agreement, Cruz said airport workers are demanding retroactive pay for the difference in hourly wages, but contractors are refusing to pay. She said hundreds of workers turned out for the demonstration but there was no disruption to air traffic.

Negotiations have been ongoing for two months, with the contract expiring on July 30. In addition to these retroactive payments, workers are asking for better health and safety protocols, higher minimum hours for employees, and additional vacation days.

“We say they are not above the law, they should pay the workers what they are entitled to,” Cruz said.

American Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier this month, the airport said that shops and restaurants would additional surcharge of 3% for food, beverage and other entrepreneurs to offset the wage increase.

The next round of negotiations is scheduled for Thursday, Cruz said, and the union wants to continue fighting for workers’ wages.

““If negotiations don’t go well, we will continue to make plans to go back and do what we need to do to make sure our workers are heard and seen,” Cruz said.