Bill to set wages/benefits for airport service workers fails in committee under power‑sharing rule
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Summary
Representative Berg's bill (HF 3878), narrowed to cover MSP Airport and certain contracted service workers, drew union support and MAC opposition. The committee reported 7 ayes and 6 nays on referral but the motion failed under a power‑sharing agreement.
Representative Berg presented House File 3878 with a DE2 amendment that narrows the bill to cover the Minneapolis–Saint Paul Airport and specifies covered worker categories by reference to a Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) ordinance. Berg said the proposal aims to provide fair wages and benefits to workers who maintain airport operations.
Samantha Diaz, deputy chief of staff for SEIU Local 26, defended the approach by pointing to federal frameworks (the McNamara Service Contract Act, SCA) and airport practices elsewhere that peg contractor pay and benefits to locality standards. Diaz said drafting can be done to avoid federal conflicts and noted similar measures at airports around the country.
Mitch Killian of the Metropolitan Airports Commission testified that MAC does not support the bill, warning it would impose significant administrative burdens on MAC's small HR operation, harm airport competitiveness in recruiting service and concessions businesses, and could invite litigation and associated legal costs.
The committee debated legal risk and worker impacts. After closing remarks, the clerk conducted a roll call; the clerk reported 7 ayes and 6 nays, but under the committee's power‑sharing agreement the referral motion failed and the bill did not advance out of committee.
