A recent New York Times editorial highlights the stagnation and even decline of wages for many low-paid airport workers. These workers include baggage handlers, ticket agents, cleaners, fuelers, drivers, and others who work on the ramps and within the secured areas of airports around the country. The particular focus of this editorial was the three major airports in New York area operated by the Port Authority of NY & NJ—JFK, LGA, and EWR—and advocated for a raise in the minimum wage at these three airports.
According to the editorial, “Real wages for the men and women who do much of the work at airports declined by 14 percent between 1991 and 2011, according to a study by the Center for Labor Research and Education at the University of California, Berkeley. While airline profits have become robust since that period, airport worker pay has stagnated, like the wages of so many low-paid Americans. And the decline was even sharper since the days before airline deregulation, when unionized workers also got paid vacations and days off as well as medical benefits.”
With more than 40 years experience in the aviation industry, The Honorable John Goglia, was the first and only Airframe and Powerplant mechanic to receive a presidential appointment to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He served from August 1995 to June 2004.
As a Board Member, Mr. Goglia distinguished himself in numerous areas of transportation safety. In particular, he was instrumental in raising awareness of airport safety issues, including the importance of airport crash fire and rescue operations and the dangers of wildlife at airports. He played a key role in focusing international attention on the increasing significance of aircraft maintenance in aviation accidents. He pressed, successfully, for greater integration of civilian and military safety information, becoming a featured speaker at national aviation symposiums attended by military leaders and major defense contractors. He is a leading proponent of airplane child safety seats.
Prior to becoming a Board Member, Mr. Goglia held numerous positions in the airline industry. He started as a mechanic for United Airlines and eventually joined Allegheny, which became USAir. Additionally, he was involved for more than 20 years as a union flight safety representative on accident investigation teams. There, he developed a safety program for his union, the International Association of Machinists, and was its representative for NTSB investigations. For twelve years, he operated his own aircraft service company.
Numerous prestigious groups have recognized Mr. Goglia’s contributions to aviation safety. Aviation Week & Space Technology awarded him a coveted 2004 Laurel for his outstanding service as an NTSB Board member. The Society of Automotive Engineers presented him with the Aerospace Chair Award for outstanding leadership in 2003 and the Marvin Whitlock Award for outstanding management accomplishment in 2002.
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