Airport workers say $10-an-hour wage won’t be enough

[Omaha Steve]

Activists contrasted the low pay for airport workers with corporate profits and CEO pay. Workday Minnesota photo


http://www.workdayminnesota.org/articles/airport-workers-say-10-hour-wage-won%E2%80%99t-be-enough

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota
May 18, 2015

BLOOMINGTON
The Metropolitan Airports Commission is poised to raise wages for 2,800 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport workers to $10 an hour, but the workers say the increase won’t lift them out of poverty. And they say the MAC faces a “credibility gap” after it delayed implementation of a new paid sick leave policy.

Months of activism by airport workers and unions, including numerous rallies and hours of testimony before the commission, came to a head Monday when the MAC voted to move forward a plan to raise wages to $1 an hour above the minimum wage, effective Aug. 1.

The state’s minimum wage is slated to go to $9 an hour in August, meaning the workers would earn $10 an hour. The MAC scheduled a vote on the measure for its June meeting.

While any increase helps, a $10 wage isn’t enough, several workers told the commissioners in public testimony at their monthly meeting.

FULL story at link.

Published on May 19, 2015
Story at http://www.workdayminnesota.org/artic...
May 18, 2015 While the Metropolitan Airports Commission prepared to increase Minneapolis-St. Paul worker wages to $10/hour, a dollar higher than the Minnesota state minimum wage, that leaves employees - who clean, work in shops or assist minors and the disabled - earning poverty level pay. What's more, paid sick time approved by the MAC in December is still not available to MSP workers.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

1. There are small towns where the airport is a major employer.

[Cheese Sandwich]

2. Rec

They should get paid more.