Logan Workers Get a Raise With Massport Vote

The minimum wage for certain Boston Logan International Airport workers will soon increase to $17 an hour after a months-long push by advocates and a vote Thursday by the Massport Board.

The board voted to grant a two-step increase to the $15 minimum wage for airport contract service workers — paying $16 an hour effective July 1, 2022, and $17 effective Jan. 1, 2023.

The raise covers Logan’s wheelchair assistants, skycaps, ticket agents, janitorial staff and baggage handlers, among others.

“As passenger volume at Logan continues to increase, the timing of this vote is even more important,” said Massport Board Member Sean O’Brien, noting the wage boost will be key to attracting and retaining essential employees.

Massport maintained yearly raises from 2014 to 2020, keeping Logan’s wages above the state minimum. But the board had not passed an increase since 2020, sparking outcry from workers and other advocates.

“The workers have struggled during COVID, and at the same time not seen a wage increase,” said Roxana Rivera, the vice president of 32BJ SEIU, a union advocating for the airport employees. “That’s why we’re excited about today, because it does allow for some much-needed relief for these workers.”

“It’s a good step to start,” said Ababuti Olok, a skycap worker and wheelchair attendant with 11 years at Logan, “but it’s still — with high inflation — not enough for one person to do one job and afford to pay the rent and expenses here.”

“This increase to the minimum wage pay for airport workers is an important moment for workers’ rights, especially immigrant workers’ rights,” said state Sen. Lydia Edwards. “These workers should be respected, protected and paid the proper living wage they have worked so hard for.”

©2022 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at bostonherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.