Thread by @GoodAirports

Quiz Time! How many miles does Larry, a 69-year-old wheelchair agent at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, say he and his coworkers average transporting passengers who need wheelchairs on a typical day? #PollOfTheDay

Larry said he averages 10 miles a day helping escort passengers with disabilities and the elderly safely from the curb to their airplane cabin.

Larry assists with passengers at Dallas Fort Worth Airport. He and many of his coworkers are paid as little as $10 an hour. They’re expected to rely on tips to make ends meet.

Check out this current job posting for a full-time wheelchair agent. They’re offering SIX DOLLARS an hour plus tips.

“This assistance is free to both disabled and non-disabled airline passengers who have scheduled a personal wheelchair escort for the comfort of their travel experience”

Hmm so “free” but tips are expected…🤨

If airport workers are expected to make ends meet on tips from passengers who need wheelchairs then aren’t passengers paying for the service? 🤔

Why is it the way it is, you ask? Great question! Airlines received $54 BILLION to keep airports running and people on payroll. AND they receive around $13B in our public money EVERY YEAR. American Airlines, Delta, United—these are billion dollar corporations.

And they can get away with these poverty wages because of something called a “tipped-wage,” which allows employers to pay workers LESS than the minimum wage since they “make more than the difference in tips alone” 🙄

When the work of caring for another human being is so devalued, it hurts working people AND the person who needs assistance. That’s why we’re fighting to make sure all airport jobs are GOOD jobs that pay wages and benefits you can raise a family on. seiu.co/3N7rwaq

We strongly believe that labor rights and disability rights go hand in hand. Disability rights are labor rights. Labor rights are disability rights. This about safety, dignity, equity, and accessibility.

And it’s not easy work to push wheelchairs in an airport. You need to know all the rules for customs and TSA as well as the disability access laws! Whether it’s $6 an hour or $10—these wages are outrageously low.

Some wheelchair agents say there are only 2 wheelchair agents for 10 or more passengers who need assistance when a plane lands. Even if they push two passengers there are still many passengers that will have to wait and maybe miss a flight.

Last Thanksgiving, Orlando Airport workers went on strike to protest short-staffing, long hours, and low pay. Anjanette Reyes, a wheelchair agent in Orlando said, “We do love our job but we’re physically and mentally exhausted.” aviationpros.com/airlines/press…

Anjanette shared that she had suffered an injury earlier that year while trying to lift a passenger from a wheelchair. We’ve heard from several wheelchair agents that they’ve experienced similar injuries on the job. Many of them don’t have healthcare benefits or paid sick days.

In fact, we’ve heard from wheelchair agents that they can’t afford to take a day off even if they’re sick. Losing a day’s worth of pay sometimes makes the difference of whether they can provide for their family.