Travel News - Airport Workers say pay is illegally low

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/23/airport-workers-tips_n_1082307.html?ref=business&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk2%7C115288

This is ridiculous!! Why some Airports worker who pay is illegally low. This should be minimum wage $9 or $12 hrs. Because $1.75 is not good enough. This is unacceptable for the behavior to against the companies. This should have increased the wage to $12 hrs. They have to boost more salary for all passenger attendant.

While I agree that $1.75 isn't enough, I don't see how that's relevant as the article states the workers earn $6.50 plus tips.

Minimum wage isn't "$9 or $12", it's $8.25. Also in the article.

"They should have increase the wage to $12" - does the open job market no longer apply in Chicago? Minimum wage no longer applies?

It's way past time to focus attention on this issue. The law requires the airlines to provide this service. They should pay a fair wage and stop pushing the costs onto many who can not afford it. The service is required regardless of whether someone tips or not. The airlines should pay the required costs. Those with disabilities, who may need this service, shouldn't have to fear what could happen to them if they can't tip.

It's way past time to focus attention on this issue. The law requires the airlines to provide this service. They should pay a fair wage and stop pushing the costs onto many who can not afford it. The service is required regardless of whether someone tips or not. The airlines should pay the required costs. Those with disabilities, who may need this service, shouldn't have to fear what could happen to them if they can't tip.

How about allowing them to put a sign on the wheelchairs that says tips are appreciated? Clearly this is a lack of educating the users of the service that the employees rely heavily on tips just as sky caps and shuttle bus drivers do. I don't think that people know that tips are factored into the wages of these folks.

Where did the $1.75 per hour come from?

The airport workers are expected to receive an extra $1.75 on top of the base $6.50 their contractor pays them for their work. The problem I have with this is how did this job become a tippable service? Blaming it on the users of this service is a bit much since one would think this is something the airport should be providing (by law) to their customers.

The contractor is clearly breaking the law, in my view. Unlike in California, where restaurants must still pay the same state minimum wage (or, in some cases, local minimum wage) to traditional tipping positions, federal law sets this as low as about $2.60 per hour. It appears the contractor is illegally misclassifying this service as a tipping job.

The airport workers are expected to receive an extra $1.75 on top of the base $6.50 their contractor pays them for their work. The problem I have with this is how did this job become a tippable service? Blaming it on the users of this service is a bit much since one would think this is something the airport should be providing (by law) to their customers.

The airport and airlines are providing this service by law.

The contractor is clearly breaking the law, in my view. Unlike in California, where restaurants must still pay the same state minimum wage (or, in some cases, local minimum wage) to traditional tipping positions, federal law sets this as low as about $2.60 per hour. It appears the contractor is illegally misclassifying this service as a tipping job.



The airport and airlines are providing this service by law.

agree, but they also need to reinforce to the contractor that they should not consider the salary as being tip-based employment. As the provider, ultimately, the airport and airlines are responsible for ensuring the contractor maintains appropriate work conditions.

As the provider, ultimately, the airport and airlines are responsible for ensuring the contractor maintains appropriate work conditions.

Why is it inappropriate? If passengers tip them then they get tipped.

The contractor is clearly breaking the law, in my view. Unlike in California, where restaurants must still pay the same state minimum wage (or, in some cases, local minimum wage) to traditional tipping positions, federal law sets this as low as about $2.60 per hour. It appears the contractor is illegally misclassifying this service as a tipping job.



The airport and airlines are providing this service by law.

Why is it inappropriate? If passengers tip them then they get tipped.

Breaking the law at an airport would be under jurisdiction microscope.. So the lawyers must have looked at this, and consulted with the authorities.. and is determined that it meets the letter of the law, ethical or not..

Workers have a choice to work for under minimum wage or not.. I suppose the wage would have to increase if they can't attract enough workers..

Why is it inappropriate? If passengers tip them then they get tipped.

In appropriate on the contractor/employer side. If someone feels they wish to tip, that is their decision, but if passengers are forced to tip, that is inappropriate.

Yet one more reason to move away from the crazy tipping culture that exists in America.

but if passengers are forced to tip, that is inappropriate.

Nobody is forced to tip.

If the employees wage plus tips does not equal at least the minimum wage then the employer must make up the difference.

Yet one more reason to move away from the crazy tipping culture that exists in America.

Wish I got tipped at work.

Me: Here's that TPS you wanted.
Boss: Um... Yeah, good work. Here you go.
Me: A whole dollar thanks!
Boss: I only tip 15%
Me (underbreath): Enjoy that TPS you smuck, I pee'd on it.

Nobody is forced to tip.

If the employees wage plus tips does not equal at least the minimum wage then the employer must make up the difference.

If the person who takes the passenger from Point A to Point B places undue stress on the passenger noting that they rely on tips for their living wage, I consider this coercion on the passenger to tip.

I would go further than your statement and say the employer should be paying the wage and tipping should be left out of the equation as it is not so easy to document who gets tipped and how much.

If the person who takes the passenger from Point A to Point B places undue stress on the passenger noting that they rely on tips for their living wage, I consider this coercion on the passenger to tip.

Facts not in evidence.

Facts not in evidence.

You missed the thread in the disabilities forum where the wheelchair pusher threatened those who do not tip him?

How about allowing them to put a sign on the wheelchairs that says tips are appreciated? Clearly this is a lack of educating the users of the service that the employees rely heavily on tips just as sky caps and shuttle bus drivers do. I don't think that people know that tips are factored into the wages of these folks.

I wouldn't complain about a sign like that. It's still the airlines obligation, according to the law, to provide the service. They should pay the cost for the service.

I wouldn't complain about a sign like that. It's still the airlines obligation, according to the law, to provide the service. They should pay the cost for the service.

According to the investigation done, they do.

You missed the thread in the disabilities forum where the wheelchair pusher threatened those who do not tip him?

Not everyone reads the disabilities forum, can you provide a link to that thread?

Thanks,

^

You missed the thread in the disabilities forum where the wheelchair pusher threatened those who do not tip him?

What sort of threats?

According to the investigation done, they do.

Not if the worker is depending on tips, and taking out his/her frustrations with low pay, on the person with disabilities.

p.s.: I'll post the requested link in a few minutes.

Not everyone reads the disabilities forum, can you provide a link to that thread?

Thanks,

^

Here is the link to the thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/disability-travel/620152-wheelchair-procedures-etiquette.html).

If the pushers get a raise in recognition of these not being tip based jobs, then it would be fair to post signs advising people that tips are not required or expected or even that tips are forbidden.

Not if the worker is depending on tips, and taking out his/her frustrations with low pay, on the person with disabilities.



You are just wrong on this. There was a complaint, then an investigation, then a determination that there was no wrong doing. This means the company was following the law and paying them what was required. If an employee refuses to file for compensation on the form provided for that purpose it is not the fault of the employer.

You are just wrong on this. There was a complaint, then an investigation, then a determination that there was no wrong doing. This means the company was following the law and paying them what was required. If an employee refuses to file for compensation on the form provided for that purpose it is not the fault of the employer.

I see that now. I had never heard that they could file for compensation if they didn't get enough tips before now. However, I still don't like that system and think they deserve slightly higher pay than they get. If they can get compensation then why are they calling those with disabilities, who cannot afford to tip, cheapskates? :confused: Why have a tip based system at all?

I see that now. I had never heard that they could file for compensation if they didn't get enough tips before now. However, I still don't like that system and think they deserve slightly higher pay than they get. If they can get compensation then why are they calling those with disabilities, who cannot afford to tip, cheapskates? :confused: Why have a tip based system at all?

Are these union rules?

How would tips be tracked.. an employee could pocket more and say they've received less.

Don't like the job, then one has the freedom to choose not to work..

I see that now. I had never heard that they could file for compensation if they didn't get enough tips before now. However, I still don't like that system and think they deserve slightly higher pay than they get. If they can get compensation then why are they calling those with disabilities, who cannot afford to tip, cheapskates? :confused: Why have a tip based system at all?

I don't disagree with you, the current system sucks. No one should be paid less than the minimum wage, that is the system that California uses, and it is a better system.

I don't disagree with you, the current system sucks. No one should be paid less than the minimum wage, that is the system that California uses, and it is a better system.

Its about guaranteed minimum pay that's at issue as well.. but with tips, the compensation could be well above average.

Risk vs. Reward.:)

But I agree with those, that minimum wage should be the minimum.

I'd never known (or expected) that such passenger escorts were tipped. It does explain why some in some airports are more aggressive. I limp, but I make a point of walking in an airport when I'm able because I'm going to be stuck in a small space and it's good for me. I've had the cart people descend upon me in PHL, for example.

Are these union rules?

Nope. US minimum wage laws. Same thing is applied to restaurant servers. If they don't make enough in tips to bring them up to the minimum wage then their employer has to make up the difference. They're supposed to claim/report all of their tips so that's how it's tracked.