BWI-Marshall contract workers get raise to $18 an hour

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore celebrated Labor Day by announcing a $1 hourly wage increase for support workers at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. State officials said Maryland Aviation Administration contract workers are getting a raise to $18 an hour effective immediately. The governor said the workers are vital to the airport's day-to-day operations, and that they're largely unseen, unsung heroes who take care of passengers and ensure their experience is good, while others keep the facility clean and safe. 'We're serious about making sure that our families are supported, and people who choose to serve the public should be treated fairly,' Moore said. Kiera Barnes, who provides wheelchair access to travelers, is among workers who said they struggle to make ends meet. 'Our current wages (are) so low that I must rely on government assistance programs, like Medicaid, (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and housing vouchers,' said Barnes, a member of the 32BJ Service Employees International Union. 'When we have workers who are paid a competitive wage, everyone benefits — workers, families benefit; small businesses benefit; Maryland's economy benefits,' Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson said. The governor touted his track record with labor in general, with the exception of a tense and uneven relationship with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Moore said his administration raised the state's minimum wage two years ahead of schedule; delivered millions in back pay for current and former correctional employees; expanded collective bargaining rights to state supervisors and non-tenure faculty at colleges; and gave library workers the right to organize. 'We are here to celebrate a $1-an-hour raise, which will make a real difference for those BWI contract employees,' 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich said. The governor also vowed to introduce emergency legislation during the next legislative session to create a pathway to raise the minimum wage for indirect contract workers, which could impact as many as 800 airport workers. READ MORE:BWI-Marshall contract workers get raise to $18 an hour CHECK OUT WBAL:Get all the latest Baltimore news, weather and sports. WBAL-TV brings you the best in Maryland news online, anytime.