Kenney supports protesting airport baggage workers

Mayor-elect Jim Kenney said Thursday he favors a $15 an hour minimum wage in Philadelphia, but thinks the "best way" to get that is for workers to organize in labor unions and collectively bargain with employers.

Kenney, whose father was a unionized firefighter, told more than 200 cheering nonunion Philadelphia International Airport workers that when he takes office in January "some things are going to change around here."

Private firms that have contracts with airlines to provide skycaps, wheelchair attendants, baggage handlers and aircraft cabin cleaners - the nonunion workers in the protest - will be required to pay their employees $12 an hour.

"We passed a law requiring a $12 an hour wage, and they are going to follow that law," Kenney told the crowd outside the airport's Terminal B.

The workers Thursday joined counterparts at airports in Chicago, Boston, New York, Newark, and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. in a coordinated "first ever" national demonstration demanding higher wages and better working conditions.

The protest did not disrupt flight operations at the airport.

City Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, who spoke earlier at the rally, said that 300 wheelchair operators employed by airline contractors, including PrimeFlight Aviation, Prospect Airport Services, and McGinn Security, were not being paid the $12.

"It was supposed to be a flat $12; they're quibbling over pennies," Kenny said, referring to the subcontractors. "these guys who run these companies think people can live off their tips? They should try living off tips and see how difficult their lives become."

Kenny said when a new City Solicitor is named, "we're going to figure out what options we have to move against PrimeFlight and some of these other companies that are basically thumbing their nose at everybody because they think they can.

"This is not a coal mine in Pennsylvania back in the 1930s," Kenny said.

On July, 1, about 2,000 nonunion airport workers for airline contractors were supposed to earn $12 an hour, in keeping with a 'living wage' standard approved by Philadelphia voters in May 2014. The workers had earned as little as $7.75 an hour plus tips.

The airlines, led by American Airlines, agreed to new lease terms at Philadelphia airport that supported workers' rights to join labor unions and that ensured the wage standard would be enforced with subcontractors.

"These subcontractors understand what the law is and want to abuse these folks who, when they stand up for their rights, are treated badly, threatened, and given bad work shifts," Kenney said.

As for moving to a $15 hourly minimum wage in Philadelphia, the mayor-elect said, "I don't think you should need federal, state or local legislation. But because people don't want to treat workers fairly, then we have to have legislation.

"But the best, and most economical, way to do it is to bargain collectively." Kenny said he would look at any proposed legislation for a $15 hourly minimum wage. "I support the concept for sure. Let us try living off $15 an hour, and see how that goes."

Kenny told the crowd: "Many of us in elected office in Philadelphia understand that we are you, and you are us. We'll have your back all the time."

Earlier, standing before the crowd of protesters, Mercedes Jones, 21, a wheelchair attendant at Philadelphia International Airport, had a message for airline subcontractors who by law are supposed to pay their employees $12 an hour.

"I just want to tell everybody that they don't have to settle," said the mother of two. "I love my job, and I love helping people. But if I'm helping your family I want you to help me support my family also."

American employs its own baggage handlers who put the passengers' bags on, and take them off, the planes. "We're aware of this, so there won't be an impact to our operations," said airline spokeswoman Victory Lupica.

Philadelphia airport spokeswoman Mary Flannery said, "We're certainly aware that they have a permit for a demonstration. If there were to be a job action, the airport would coordinate with the airlines to assure passenger convenience and smooth operations," she said.

Nonunion airport workers, like fast-food restaurant employees around the country, are pressing for a $15 an hour minimum wage.

The workers chose Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 for their "simultaneous strikes," as the busy Thanksgiving travel season begins, to call attention to demands for better wages and treatment.

lloyd@phillynews.com

215-854-2831

@LoydLinda