Edward Markey (D-MA)
Good Jobs for Good Airports Act
A Democratic bill with 15 Democratic cosponsors · See all 16 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Good Jobs for Good Airports Act" requires employers of airport service workers at small, medium, and large hub airports to pay prevailing wages and provide fringe benefits. It defines "covered service workers" to include various roles such as ground handling, security, cleaning, and concessions. Employers must certify monthly that they are meeting these wage and benefit standards. The Secretary of Labor will issue wage determinations, while the Secretary of Transportation will oversee monthly certifications. Enforcement will be handled by the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Transportation, with increased civil penalties for violations. Additionally, interested persons are permitted to bring civil actions to enforce these standards.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay?
The bill mandates that airport service workers be paid the higher of the prevailing wage or state/local minimum wage.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill ensures airport service workers receive a living wage and essential fringe benefits.
- Scored +5
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill establishes higher wage and benefit standards that apply regardless of existing collective bargaining agreements.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners face higher labor costs and increased regulatory/certification burdens.
- Scored -4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Employers face increased operational costs and more stringent monthly certification requirements under penalty of perjury.
- Scored -1
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?
While it relates to airport infrastructure operations, it does not directly fund the repair or building of roads and bridges.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Earnings and Benefits: Workers classified as "covered service workers" will be guaranteed a wage that is not less than the higher of the prevailing wage determined by the Secretary of Labor or applicable State or local minimum wage laws (Section 2(a)(2)(1)(A) and (B)).
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Improved Benefits Coverage: Workers will receive fringe benefits that are not less than the greater of the minimum fringe benefits determined under the Service Contract Act or those required by State or local law (Section 2(a)(2)(2)(A) and (B)).
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Workforce Stability and Safety: The bill finds that providing a living wage and adequate health benefits can help reduce workforce turnover and assist in the recruitment and retention of excellent staff, which is critical for public safety and airport security (Section 2(a)(1)(B), (D), and (E)).
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Legal Recourse for Workers: Individuals have the ability to bring civil actions in a district court to enforce the wage and benefit requirements (Section 2(b)(4)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Regulatory Burden on Employers: Employers are required to certify under penalty of perjury on a monthly basis that they are complying with the wage and benefit requirements (Section 2(a)(2)(b)(1)).
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Increased Risk of Penalties: Employers face the risk of civil penalties for failing to submit monthly certifications or for submitting false certifications (Section 2(a)(2)(b)(2) and (3)). Additionally, maximum civil penalties for violations of the wage and benefit standards can be up to three times the amount of a standard civil penalty (Section 2(b)(3)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill ensures airport service workers receive a living wage and essential fringe benefits. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill establishes higher wage and benefit standards that apply regardless of existing collective bargaining agreements. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Higher wages and benefits can provide more stability for young adults in the airport service workforce. Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners face higher labor costs and increased regulatory/certification burdens.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill requires employers to provide fringe benefits that include adequate health benefit coverage for workers.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The mandate for living wages and benefits aims to provide more stable financial conditions for service workers.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay? — The bill mandates that airport service workers be paid the higher of the prevailing wage or state/local minimum wage. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Employers face increased operational costs and more stringent monthly certification requirements under penalty of perjury.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to publish complaint data relating to covered service workers.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — While it relates to airport infrastructure operations, it does not directly fund the repair or building of roads and bridges.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill focuses on airport service workers and does not specifically target or improve benefits for veterans.
- 7/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 16 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Charles SchumerDemocrat · New York
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts