Ahead of a busy travel season, airport workers and DFL state Senator Erin Murphy are calling for higher wages and affordable healthcare.
The union representing over 1,000 subcontracted airport workers gathered at MSP airport ahead of a meeting of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which has so far refused to negotiate with union workers.
Murphy stressed the risk that airport staff take working their jobs, highlighting the need for affordable healthcare.
“They can be injured in the workplace. They are working in close proximity to other people where you can easily catch something from another person,” Murphy said. “They need meaningful coverage in order to protect themselves, to get health care when they need it, and to protect their families.”
Murphy says the airport could not function without its frontline staff.
“We don’t have the benefit of travel without the people who staff our airports. The people who clean the planes, move us on wheelchairs if necessary, check our baggage, and more,” Murphy said.
She says she & her colleagues will get involved if negotiations fail.
“If this is not resolved at the bargaining table, we’re going to take it up with the legislature,” Murphy said.
The union’s current contract is set to expire in January.