34 GROUND SUPPORT WORLDWIDE DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017
EDITOR'S NOTE
Editor - Josh Smith
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Strikes and other demonstrations in several
major cities have made it clear that this is a critical
topic facing the industry today.
Although contracted workers' desire to earn
higher salaries came as no surprise to me, I was
caught off guard by a report, cited by the Service
Employees International Union (SEIU), which
stated 42 percent of airport workers live below
the poverty line.
The report, published by Lake Research Part-
ners, states a majority of the 599 workers surveyed
across targeted airports make less than $12 an hour
and a majority lives in a household making less
than $25,000 annually.
And with one-third of the participants having
been at the airport for less than a year and more
than half being on the job for less than three years,
the report suggests there are not many long-term
workers being employed.
Without diving into the politics of organized
labor and minimum wage standards, I can see some
benefits to increasing salaries for ramp and cargo
agents, baggage handlers, fuelers, lavatory service
personnel, tug drivers and other ground service
providers.
Simply put, an increase in wage could reduce
employee turnover.
As a result, more satisfied workers may be more
inclined to stay in a position for a longer period of
time, gather valuable on-the-job experience and
impart their years of knowledge on new employees.
Moreover, employees with years of experience
may be less prone to mistakes and accidents, help-
ing create safer working conditions.
Safer working conditions could mean quicker
turnarounds on the ramp and more productivity.
Without a doubt, a company needs to look at all
areas of its budget, not just employee salaries, to
make sure it is profitable while keeping rates com-
petitive in the market. But if an increase in wage
could encourage more employees to do a better job
for a longer period of time, is it worth considering?
A Raise in Pay for an
Increase in Production?
I
n my brief time as editor of Ground Support Worldwide, numer-
ous news stories about airport worker labor negotiations have
come across my desk.
Demonstrations across the U.S. have put a spotlight on
airport workers' salaries. Would increasing wages lead to
better ground support service?