Fort Lauderdale, FL —Echoing widespread community support for public policies promoting good jobs in Broward County,The Broward Democratic Party has adopted a resolution calling on the Broward County Commission to “hold airlines and their contractors accountable to South Florida communities by only using public money to support jobs that pay livable wages with benefits.”
On Tuesday, June 32rd, the Commission is expected to hold a final vote on a bill to improve airline and contractor standards at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and help prevent service disruptions.
Airlines at FLL are using low-bid contractors who routinely cut costs on the backs of employees to increase profits at the top. According to a recent study, low-bid contracting creates a race to the bottom that keeps workers in poverty, compromises the quality of service provided to passengers, and deprives communities of badly needed economic activity.
The Party’s resolution continues: “The Broward County Commission has a rare and critical opportunity to make sure that the wealth generated from FLL trickles down to Broward’s neighborhoods and local economy. The County Commission should be investing in the Broward County communities and is responsible for the use of public resources and facilities.”
“Broward County Commissioners can and must do better than allow airlines and their contractors to drive wages down in a race to the bottom. Commissioners should remember those who they were elected to serve-our families and our communities are counting on them to invest in good jobs. The Broward County Commission is respectfully urged to support a livable wage for workers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.”
Baggage handlers, sky caps, wheelchair attendants, cabin cleaners, ramp workers, passenger assistance representatives, check-point screeners, fuelers, and security officers are excluded from the airport’s living wage law. According to a recent study, an estimated 37 percent of these workers and their families nationwide receive Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credit, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or some combination.
With more than 145,000 members in 11 states, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
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