A bill introduced by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32) to raise wages for Newark and Hoboken transportation service workers, known as “The Safe Transportation Jobs and Fair Employment Rules Act,” cleared the state Assembly earlier today.
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“This Safe Transportation Jobs and Employment Act is another way of us trying to get to the inequality of income in the State of New Jersey and trying to give these workers a livable wage: a wage that they deserve,” Prieto said on the Assembly floor today.
“And that actually helps employers because in this field, retention is very difficult.”
Bill A-4870 would require prevailing wages be paid to all subcontracted transportation service workers at Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark Penn Station and the Hoboken Terminal was approved Thursday by the Assembly.
The bill applies to subcontracted transportation center service workers at Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark Penn Station and the Hoboken Terminal that perform jobs such as escort services, cargo related and ramp services, in-terminal and in-station and passenger handling services, cleaning services and concession services.
Also under the bill, a subcontracted transportation center service worker employed as a food service worker, skycap or redcap receiving tips would receive a cash wage of at least two-thirds of the wage rate that must be paid.
Tipped skycaps, redcaps and food service workers would also receive the full amount of benefits and paid time off minimums.
Assembly members Sheila Oliver (D-34), Annette Quijano (D-20), Eliana Pintor Marin (D-29), Gary Schaer (D-36), Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-37) and Tim Eustace (D-38) co-sponsored the legislation.
The bill was approved 51-23-1 and now awaits further consideration by the Senate.
