In a letter to the editor of the New York Times, San Francisco International Airport director John L. Martin seeks to calm fears about impact of SeaTac Prop 1, by pointing out what an “overwhelming success” SFO’s own minimum wage ordinance has been:
Under the airport’s Quality Standards Program, which began in 2000, all employees at the airport who perform safety and security functions are paid $12.93 per hour, have 12 paid days and 10 unpaid days off per year and have full health coverage, provided by their employers. This group of employees includes airline ground workers, baggage handlers, service providers such as wheelchair operators and ramp workers.
Airport safety is not well served when exhausted employees have to work two jobs just to make ends meet.
The program’s success rate can be measured by the extraordinarily high retention rate of our employees. A living wage means a fighting chance.
Omigod! Higher pay helps you attract and retain higher quality workers! Who’da thunk? (Certainly not corporate executives who justify their high pay and bonuses by arguing it’s the only way to attract and retain quality executives.)