CWS 3.0: February 12, 2014

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Public Agency: Raise Pay for Contract Workers

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey asked four airlines to raise wages for contract workers at New York airports. So far one has complied, but the agency ultimately plans to require the changes in revisions to its Port-Airline agreements.

Proposed changes include raising the hourly wage of contract workers by $1 per hour, according to N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office. The raise would affect workers making $8 to $9 an hour, and the Port Authority wants the airlines to ultimately raise pay to $10.10 per hour.

In addition, airlines would be required to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a paid holiday for all airport workers, including retroactively for this year.

Airlines also will have to work with the Port Authority on other improvements for workers at the airports.

The Port Authority oversees JFK and LaGuardia airports serving New York City. The call for better wages affects 8,000 workers at the two airports.

Cuomo’s office announced Friday that Delta Air Lines was the first to agree to the request.

Other airlines receiving the request were JetBlue, American Airlines and United Airlines.

“As the largest airline in New York, we work hand-in-hand with the Port Authority, the governor’s office and many partners,” Leslie Scott, Delta Air Lines corporate communications, said in a statement. “The people that work at the airport are our neighbors, friends and members of our community. We value their contributions to our operation.”