Traffic & Transit

Airport Workers Plan Newark Rally, Push For Healthy Terminals Act

A proposed NJ law would require employers at Newark Airport to compensate workers with a benefits supplement for health insurance.

A proposed NJ law would require employers at Newark Airport to compensate workers with a benefits supplement for health insurance.
A proposed NJ law would require employers at Newark Airport to compensate workers with a benefits supplement for health insurance. (EQRoy/Shutterstock)

NEWARK, NJ — They’ve already helped to get a bill passed in the New York state legislature. Now, one of the largest service employee unions in the nation is urging New Jersey’s lawmakers not to forget workers east of the Hudson River.

Airport workers with 32BJ SEIU said they plan to spearhead a rally at Military Park in Newark at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6 in support of the Healthy Terminals Act (S-989/A-2487).

The proposed state law would require employers at Newark Airport to compensate workers with a benefits supplement that can be used to acquire health insurance. If passed, an estimated 10,000 workers at Newark Airport would get “meaningful, affordable” protection during a time of need, union spokespeople said.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Read the bill’s full text here. A similar effort passed in the New York legislature in July.

Essex County and East Orange Democratic Chair LeRoy Jones offered strong support for the proposed law on Monday. Jones wrote:

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Black, brown and immigrant workers have risked their lives on the frontlines of the [coronavirus] pandemic to make travel safe for passengers, and we must take care of them too. We must not leave behind New Jersey workers, as the New York legislature has already passed this bill. In my capacity as Democratic Party Chairman of East Orange and Essex County, I will be urging legislative leaders to work towards swift passage of this extremely important bill. Newark Liberty plays a vital role in our economy for businesses and workers alike, and we must guarantee that our essential airport workers are adequately protected and have the means to attain meaningful healthcare.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here