‘coy A. BOOKER amar avucn Anited States Senate September 5, 2017 CChaieman Kevin J. "Toole and Mr. Rick Cotton ‘The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 4 World Trade Center 150 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007 Dear Chairman O”Toole and Mr. Cotton: ‘As the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey takes steps to inerease investment in our ‘ezion’s airports believe it also has a responsibility to demonstrate the same commitment on behalf of the employees that service those nirpors. I write to request that the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey update its Minimum Wage Policy for Non-Trade Labor Service Contracts at LaGuardia Aitport (LGA), John F, Kennedy Intemational Airport (JFK), and ‘Newark Liberty Intemational Airport (EWR) to increase the hourly wage to $15. “As you know 'S3226(A-4870, the New Jersey Safe Transportation Jobs & Fair Employment Rules Act (GTAFER Act), recently passed averwhelmingly out ofboth houses of the New Jersey Legislature before being vetoed by the Governor. ‘As the b-state agency overseeing these airport operations, the Port Authority is empowered t0 provide fair wages to al frontline airport workers. Airport workers at EWR earn an hourly rin wage of just $10.20. Not only is $10.20 not a living wage, i fails to even achieve parity with publicly-conttacted workers in other airports under your jurisdiction. I strongly ree the esteemed Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey t tke jimmediate action to ensure that these workers, who provide critical services tothe airline industry, ae paid in an equitable manner. ‘We all benefit from a fairly compensated workforce. Living wages and meaningful benefits can prevent employee tumover and ensure higher quality services for passengers. It also bolsters our rational security. The men and women that handle baggage, clean eabins, maintain facilities, and terface with thousands of travelers each day at some of out nation’s busiest airports act as an tuditional layer of protection to safeguant our nation’s traveling public Other major airports, including in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland, have {aken important steps to guarantee living wages and health benefits for airport workers, Most recently in Philadelphia, American Airlines announced an agreement to provide a path forward for contract negotiations between the labor unions and airport subcontractors, ending years of ‘worker unrest atthe Philadelphia International Airport. The Port Authority now has an ‘Opportunity tobe a national leader on this issue and enhance the wel-being of the working mex and women ofthe regionI greatly appreciate your time and attention to this matter and look forward to your response. 1 hope to continue to engage on this issue in open dialogue withthe Port Authority, and I value _your participation in that discussion Sincerely, K es Booker United States Senator