Good Jobs for Good Airports Act
Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a federal wage-and-benefit floor for airport service workers at small, medium, and large hub airports. It would require monthly employer certification, expand Fair Labor Standards Act coverage for these workers, and give the Department of Labor, the Department of Transportation, and private parties new enforcement powers.
Show full summary
- Airport workers: Workers who perform air-transport, concessions, catering, cleaning, and related services on hub airport property would be paid at least the higher of Service Contract Act rates or applicable state or local minimums, plus required fringe benefits.
- Employers and compliance: Covered employers would certify compliance monthly under penalty of perjury and could face civil penalties for false or missing certifications.
- Enforcement and law changes: The Department of Labor must issue SCA-based wage determinations within 120 days and publish annual updates. The Department of Transportation would enforce certification rules, and the bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to treat the fair market value of required fringe benefits as unpaid wages for enforcement.
*Would set a nationwide floor for pay and benefits at hub airports and expand enforcement by federal agencies and private suits.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Pay floor and coverage for airport workers
If enacted, this bill would define which on‑airport workers are "covered" at small, medium, and large hub airports. It would require employers to pay covered workers the higher of Service Contract Act rates (set by the Secretary of Labor) or any applicable state or local minimum wage and fringe benefits. The Secretary of Labor would publish initial wage and fringe determinations within 120 days of enactment and update them every year. The bill would add these airport rules into the Fair Labor Standards Act and let the Department of Labor enforce them. It would exclude TSA passenger screeners, state and local government employees, and workers exempt under FLSA section 13(a)(1).
Employer rules, reporting, and penalties at airports
If enacted, this bill would require covered employers to certify each month, under penalty of perjury, that covered service workers received required wages and fringe benefits. The Secretary of Transportation would set the certification form and would have authority to investigate, examine records, hold hearings, and issue orders. The bill would let an interested person sue in federal court to enforce the airport rules and would raise maximum civil fines for violations to no more than three times the amount listed in section 46301(1). The Secretary of Transportation would also publish complaint data about covered service workers, and the Departments of Labor and Transportation would write implementing regulations that must be consistent.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
GA • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov