Friday, March 31, 2023

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Donald Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury, Georgia campaign fights to reopen local hospitals, and New Mexico creates first-ever $100M conservation fund.

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Former President Donald Trump is indicted by Manhattan's district attorney, House Republicans take aim at renewables in new energy bill and House Dems introduce the Women's Protection Health Act.

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Small towns respond to a hidden housing and homelessness crisis, a new national weather prediction system will help close the gap between urban and rural forecasting, and more rural communities are eligible for a design project to boost economic development.

Sen. Markey Rallies with Unions, Airport Workers in D.C.

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Friday, December 9, 2022   

Airport service workers rallied in Washington, D.C., Thursday to demand Congress pass legislation ensuring they receive a livable wage with stronger benefits.

The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act would set national wage and benefit standards, including guaranteed sick days, for service workers at any airport receiving federal funding.

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., told the crowd airport service workers showed up throughout the pandemic, and are long overdue for a raise.

"Just as airplanes don't fly without pilots, our aviation system at airports would crash without airport service workers," Markey stated.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, 2.5 million people passed through America's airports the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the highest single-day figure since the start of the pandemic.

Studies have shown fairly compensating airport service workers with a living wage and benefits improves airport services by lowering turnover and ensuring airports have an experienced workforce to respond to emergencies.

Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, D-Ill., said the federal legislation would greatly benefit a largely Latino, Black and immigrant workforce.

"Working people are the engines of our economy," García asserted. "They're rising up to demand dignity and compensation that they deserve for their labor."

Garcia pointed out workers in airports have faced worsening conditions for years, as the airline industry has steadily cut benefits for wheelchair attendants, baggage handlers and caterers.

Members of the Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ rallied at more than 15 airports across the country Thursday in support of the legislation, and some non-unionized service workers at Boston's Logan International Airport held a one-day strike over alleged wage theft and unfair labor practices.


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