Of course, it comes as no surprise to me that ramp workers in a major U.S city are not paid a lot. But to see them highlighted in a study reported in The New York Times is dismaying indeed. According to the Times, the study listed “the city’s worst low-wage employers and industries, those that pay inadequately and fail to offer decent benefits.”
Prominent for me on that list were airline contractors who provide baggage handlers and cabin cleaners.
I know that the airlines look to the lowest bidder for these jobs, but I also know that the lack of training and turnover among employees – probably caused in good part by the poor wages and benefits – causes problems for the contractors who hire these employees and the airlines.
I have written frequently about the ground damage caused by poorly trained and inattentive – possibly fatigued – workers. (Talking about fatigue, it’s likely that at least some of these workers hold more than one job to try to make ends meet and may come to work not quite as well rested as the job may demand.)
I don’t know what the answer to this problem is. And I realize it’s not an easy one to solve. But sometimes seeing it in black and white in The New York Times makes you think again. And for me to write it here so that all of you can offer your thoughts and input.
