Many of the lowest paid workers at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport have moved one step closer to what’s considered a “living wage” in Broward County.For the past several years, workers like baggage handlers, skycaps and wheelchair assistants at the airport have been fighting to be covered by the Broward County living wage ordinance, which would bring minimum wages to $11.68 for workers with health benefits and $13.20 for workers without.
As it stands, because these workers work for companies that contract with the airlines, not the county directly, they are not covered. A report from service workers union 32BJ showed the average wage for these workers is now $7.46.
A small hiccup in the first reading of the ordinance was when it would take effect. The original language would extend the wage ordinance to all new contracts. Existing contracts, however, would not be covered.
At the urging of the union, an amendment was introduced making the living wage ordinance apply to all workers beginning Jan. 1.
Dale Holness was among commissioners who voted in favor of the amendment.
“No one out there… was as hurt or damaged by the lack of living wage as is the airport,” Holness said. “Our cleaning service people, our transportation people… they all are covered under living wage.”
The amendment passed 6-3 in favor. A final vote will be taken on Oct. 13.
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