Mayor Sylvester Turner today signed an executive order implementing a new city policy regarding the prospective negotiation of contracts with airlines and concessionaires that would enable workers to achieve at minimum a “living wage” and, ultimately, $12 per hour by 2021.
The order may affect hundreds of workers at Bush Intercontinental, Hobby and Ellington airports, including those working for subcontractors to the airlines and concessionaires at the airports.
“Through our current and future contracts with airlines and airport businesses, we are ensuring that our highly rated airports retain high-quality, experienced workforces and that employees and our facilities thrive,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said.
“The 58 million-plus passengers who travel through our airports every year deserve no less, and their numbers continue to grow from that peak in 2018,” the mayor said.
Air carriers, such as United Airlines, and airport concessionaires participated in productive discussions related to this executive order.
The Administration seeks gradual gains in minimum wages: $10.39 in 2019, $11.22 in 2020, and $12 in 2021 and 2022.
The order poses no restrictions on employee groups bargaining with employers for wages higher than the new minimums.