Airport Custodians Gain Substantial Raise After 13-Year Effort

Custodians at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta will see their minimum pay increase from US$8.50 an hour to $12-$15 after city officials helped in wage negotiations between the employees’ union and their employer, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

The 600 airport custodians are employed by ABM Industries and are represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU). After contract negotiations broke down in February, union leaders asked for backing from the city officials.

Last year, the Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee unanimously voted to pay airport custodians at least $15 an hour. At the time, the committee vote was considered merely symbolic because Georgia state law preempts locally set minimum wages.

However, the threat of a custodian strike prompted both sides, aided by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, to come to an agreement. The pay raises are part of a new one-year contract.

Airports are among the businesses that have been struggling to find enough workers, prompting them to raise employee pay and increase benefits. Union leaders have been working to secure a substantial pay raise for the Hartsfield-Jackson airport custodians for 13 years.