32BJ: Legislation calling for Higher Wages for Privately Contracted Airport, Rail & Ferry Workers is Approved by Senate and Assembly Legislative Committees
For Immediate Release
June 1, 2017
Contact: Desirée Taylor
Legislation calling for Higher Wages for Privately Contracted Airport, Rail & Ferry Workers is Approved by Senate and Assembly Legislative Committees
STAFER ACT Bill sponsors include Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and Senator Teresa Ruiz
Trenton—Both the Senate Labor Committee and the Assembly Appropriations Committee have advanced a bill that will bring parity, a living wage and benefits for thousands of privately contracted workers at Newark Airport, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Station. The STAFER Act or Safe Transportation Jobs and Fair Employment Rules Act (S3226/A-4870), will ensure that these hardworking men and women receive the same wages and benefits as publicly contracted unarmed security officers.
“Airport, rail and ferry workers are an important link in the chain that keeps us safe and secure. These privately contracted workers should be compensated appropriately for their service to us and millions of other passengers,” said NJ Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto. “The STAFER Act will ensure these workers have the wages and benefits they need to provide for their families and live with dignity”
“It is unacceptable that the men and women performing essential services, such as cleaning, baggage handling, wheelchair assistance, and security services do not earn enough to support their families,” said Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-29). “Low wages hurt workers, families and communities. The STAFER Act will help right this wrong. That’s why I am proud to support this legislation.”
Kevin Brown, Vice President and NJ State Director of 32BJ SEIU, the union leading the fight for higher wages, benefits and a union for Newark Airport workers, calls today’s vote a big step in the long road and fight for justice for Newark Airport workers. “I applaud Leaders in both houses for sponsoring the STAFER Act and standing up for Newark Airport workers and other transportation service workers who provide vital services at New Jersey’s major transportation hubs. This legislation will help put these workers on a path out of poverty, reduce turnover and level the playing field in a subcontracting system that has turned our airports into a locus of poverty wage jobs that don’t support families.”
The legislation adopts the rates established under both New Jersey and Federal Law for publicly contracted unarmed security services. This is an appropriate standard given the important security functions performed by subcontracted passenger service workers. This would translate to $17.98 an hour in wages with an additional $4.27 an hour in benefits, plus paid leave. For Newark Airport worker Zakiyy Medina, a higher wage would be a ticket to a better life. “Life for me right now is a daily struggle and juggle of how to prioritize bills and somehow make ends meet on the meager wages I currently receive–$10.20 per hour. Higher wages and benefits would give me the ability to do more than just survive, but also thrive and plan for the future.”
Bill sponsors include Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Teresa Ruiz (D- 29), and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto. The legislation now heads to the full Assembly and Senate for consideration.
*About 32BJ: With 163,000 members in 11 states–including 12,000 in New Jersey–32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.
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