Passenger service workers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport were thrilled to get $15/hour minimum wage in 2020 after fighting for it from the Metropolitan Airports Commission. But now, many say they earn too much to be able to afford government-subsidized healthcare—and the benefits offered by their employer are also too expensive.
Workers flanked union leaders and were joined by Rep. Ilhan Omar or Minneapolis Monday at the airport for a press conference.
“We have seen airlines having skyrocketing profit while the majority of black and brown immigrants are struggling to get by,” said SEIU Local 26 Secretary-Treasurer Brahim Kone. “We need to make sure workers who are on the front line (at the airport) have healthcare they can afford.”
MAC Commissioner Leili Fatehi of Minneapolis said she was proud of her board for approving the minimum wage hike, but now it’s time to do more.
“While I’m optimistic we will continue to see momentum on the federal level on this, we here at the MAC must do everything that is within our power to address the gaps and disparities that persist in the benefits and wages of our workforce,” Fatehi told the crowd.
Omar told the crowd she was glad to help fight for higher wages and protections during the pandemic shutdown, and she’s now signed on to co-sponsor the Good Jobs for Good Airports legislation in Washington.
“It’s imperative that we don’t just say ‘thank you,’ but thank them with better benefits, with wages, and with labor standards that go along with that,” she said.
There was no mention by any members of either SEIU or the UNITE HERE Local 17 representatives at the press conference about any possible work stoppages.