Contracted airport workers ask Fort Worth to press DFW board for higher wages

Contracted airport workers told the Fort Worth City Council during public comments that some DFW Airport service employees earn as little as $10 an hour and asked the council to urge the DFW Airport Board to raise wages for contracted workers.

"At DFW Airport, we are overworked, underpaid. My salary doesn't even cover my rent or my electricity bill," said William Merkredov, who identified himself as a District 8 resident and an airport door guard. "You could ensure that thousands of people in DFW area to keep the lights on, roof over their heads, and food's on their table by asking the DFW board to raise the minimum wage at the airports."

Peyton Abrams, speaking for unaccompanied-minor escorts, wheelchair agents and cabin cleaners, said some colleagues earn as little as $10 an hour and that low pay leads to high turnover and safety risks. "Poverty wages and poor conditions don't just hurt us. They put everybody at risk," Abrams said.

Baggage service agent Esther Avelar, who said she lives in District 5, told the council that other large airports pay contracted workers $20.22 to $25 an hour and asked why DFW workers are left behind. "We find pride in saying that DFW Airport is one of the best airports in the country, but other airports are doing more to address the needs of their workers," Avelar said.

Speakers asked the council to call on the DFW Airport Board to raise wages for contracted service workers. They argued that higher pay would reduce turnover, improve safety and let workers live in the region where they work. No formal council motion or vote on the request was recorded during the meeting.

Council previously has discussed city employee wages, but the speakers requested that the city use its influence with the DFW Airport Board and airport operators to seek higher pay for contracted staff. The commenters did not provide a proposed ordinance or specific city funding requests during the public-comment period.