Fight For Living Wage Continues At Newark Airport

NEWARK, NJ — The fight for a living wage at Newark Airport continues.

Last week, dozens of workers – supported by union leaders and elected representatives – held a rally at the airport to call for an end to the “poverty wages” that they allege are keeping them from making a living that can support their families.

The protesting Newark Airport workers said they earn just $10.20 per hour, which comes out to about $22,000 per year. Workers are calling for wage on par with their peers at LaGuardia and JFK Airports, who earn $15 because of the higher state minimum wage in New York.

The May 19 action is the latest in a series of labor-related rallies that have recently been held at the airport in support of higher wages and better working conditions.

• See related article: Airport Workers Demand $15 An Hour, Rally In Newark
• See related article: Airport Workers Arrested During MLK Day Protest
• See related article: Newark Airport Strike May Affect Thanksgiving Travel

Several officials spoke in support for the workers holding the May 19 airport rally.

“The minimum wage is failing to provide basic economic security and a reasonable standard of living for millions of workers across the country,” said U.S. Senator Cory Booker. “That’s why I stand in solidarity with workers at Newark Airport and airports across our country in calling for wages that allow workers to support themselves and their families. Improving pay and basic protections for our airport workers is plainly the fair and just thing to do.”

“When airlines put profits first, passengers and workers suffer,” said 32BJ SEIU President Hector Figueroa. “United and other airlines need to invest in human capital—the subcontracted airport workers who service their passengers, clean their planes and help the airlines rake in record profits.”

“A two-tier wage scale undervalues the vital work Newark Airport workers do every day to keep the airport safe, clean and profitable,” said New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney. “We can’t sit back and allow this injustice to continue. That’s why I am proud to stand with my colleagues in the New Jersey legislature who have pledged to right this wrong.”

“When workers don’t make enough to afford the basics, it hurts families and the economy,” said New Jersey Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto. “We can help thousands of subcontracted Newark Airport workers get on a path out of poverty by supporting the STAFER ACT, a state bill that I am sponsoring that will ensure subcontracted airport, train and ferry workers receive the same wages and benefits as government contracted unarmed security officers.”

“Airline profits are soaring but the baggage handlers, sky caps and other airport workers who helped to generate these profits are making peanuts… that’s wrong,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “Low wages have a devastating impact on Newark Airport workers, the majority of whom are immigrants and people of color who live in Newark. So I will continue to stand by these hardworking men and women in their fight for a better life.”

But one of the most poignant comments in support of higher wages came from Daquan Allen, a PrimeFlight cabin cleaner at Newark Airport.

"I work hard every day cleaning United Airlines planes but I have little to show for it," Allen said. "Because I earn meager wages, there are times I have to choose between paying the rent or putting food on the table. Shouldn't people who work for a living be able to make a living?"

• See related article: Newark, NYC Airport Workers Win 1st Union Contract
• See related article: United Airlines Announces Record Profit, Workers Protest Low Wages

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: 32BJ SEIU