Houston Mayor John Whitmire Orders 33% Wage Increase for Airport Workers, Impacting Over 35,000 Employees
Houston Mayor John Whitmire has signed an executive order mandating a 33% wage increase for airport workers, raising their hourly pay to $20 immediately, with further increases planned in the coming years. This decision is part of a broader trend of union victories in Houston, where hospitality workers have secured significant pay hikes. The Texas chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) represents many of the affected employees, who work in passenger service, cleaning, and baggage operations at the city's airports. The wage increase is expected to benefit more than 35,000 workers, addressing financial struggles faced by many, such as Augusta Dillon, who has had to make difficult financial choices due to low wages. 
