This month, minimum wage rose for the lowest-paid workers in over 20 states and the District of Columbia, along with several cities (including Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco). To date, that now equates to 30 states that adopted wages higher than the federal minimum wage, which last rose in 2009 and remains at $7.25.
In airports, however, ongoing labor shortages might pave the way for much higher wages (and benefits) for all workers and contractors. This month, the Good Jobs for Good Airports Act (which is being pushed by the SEIU and other unions) made its way into Congress and aims to raise wages in airports (this would include airport vendors) to at least $15 per hour (with mandatory benefits) throughout the United States.
The kicker here – if the bill passes, those airports, airlines, and vendors who do not comply with wage boosts could lose federal government funding, to the tune of billions.
