Governor and New York State Legislature Expanded Healthy Terminals Act in FY 2026 Budget, Providing Improved Benefits to More Airport Employees
Amendments Build on Increase to Airport Employee Minimum Wage Passed in December
FY 2026 Budget Delivered Additional Wins To Put Money Back in New Yorkers’ Pockets, Including Increased Unemployment Insurance
Governor Kathy Hochul today rallied with leaders from Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ and UNITE HERE! Local 100 at LaGuardia airport to announce enhancements to the Healthy Terminals Act, which provides improved health care and leave benefits for workers at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International and LaGuardia airports.
“New York’s airports are our gateway to the world, and each year over 90 million passengers travel through JFK and LaGuardia. None of this is possible without the incredible efforts of hardworking airport employees who keep travelers moving,” Governor Hochul said. “These workers deserve to earn a living wage with good benefits and live with dignity in a state that is affordable. By expanding the Healthy Terminals Act, we are making sure they get exactly that.”
The Healthy Terminals Act establishes specific wage rates standards for covered airport workers and requires employers to provide an hourly standard benefits supplemental rate in addition to the applicable hourly minimum wage. The amendments, signed in May by Governor Hochul as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Enacted Budget, included part-time workers as covered workers. This will ensure workers at both airports receive the same standard wages and health benefits. The legislation also created a new exemption for small employers with 10 or fewer employees. These enhancements are part of the Governor’s continued commitment to make New York State safe and affordable for our workforce.
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “JFK International and LaGuardia are high-volume gateways into New York State and are major hubs of economic activity. I applaud Governor Hochul for continuing to go to bat for our workforce, and for ensuring that these airport workers, the muscle behind these economic engines, receive fair pay and benefits.”
This is one of many recent advancements for workers at JFK International and LaGuardia airports. In December, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners approved expanding minimum wage. The wage jumped 75 cents per hour in January, with additional increases of 75 cents per hour next month and in January 2026. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, annual increases will be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The wage increase will enable airport workers to better support themselves and their families while also helping to attract more skilled labor to airports.
32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich said, “Thank you Governor Hochul for your unwavering commitment to the essential workforce that keeps New York’s airports among the best in the world. From the wheelchair attendants who carefully escort our loved ones through a long day of travel, to the baggage handlers who lift and guide the luggage of thousands of travelers every day, New York relies on airport workers. For years, these essential workers have been organizing and fighting for their rights. This victory – strengthening the Healthy Terminals Act – is a testament to the union power they have built. It will change thousands of lives and help ensure the health and safety of our state’s airports.”
UNITE HERE! Local 100 President Jose Maldonado said, "Thanks to the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, the people who power our airports, clean our terminals, and feed millions feel seen and feel heard. They deserve fair wages, real health benefits, and the time to care for themselves and their families. Amending the Healthy Terminals Act is about lifting up the airport workers who keep New York moving.”
"These workers deserve to earn a living wage with good benefits and live with dignity in a state that is affordable. By expanding the Healthy Terminals Act, we are making sure they get exactly that.”
LaGuardia Airport Cleaner Cristiana Mendez said, “Every day, my co-workers and I work hard to make the journey into and out of New York as smooth as possible for all travelers. But until now, we haven’t had paid time off to take our own trips and vacations. For more than a decade, I have been organizing and fighting alongside my fellow cleaners, security officers, baggage handlers, shop attendants, and all the other essential workers who make the airport run. These changes to the Healthy Terminals Act are a major victory. Finally, we can enjoy the same services that we provide every day. Everyone needs time to travel, spend time with their families, and rest. For me, it’ll make it easier to see my mom in Puerto Rico. That means the world to me.”
JFK Airport Passenger Service Agent Tameeka Simpson said, “I support customers as they are about to embark on major international trips. I have to be cool, calm and collected — ready to help out and really absorb their stress. As a part-time worker, I’ve relied on Medicaid to provide health care coverage for me and my family. All these threats to cut Medicaid make me scared for the future of my health care. Now, with the expansion of the Healthy Terminals Act to include part-time workers like me, I won’t have to worry. I know my health care is safe and secure.”
New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “The expansion of the Healthy Terminals Act will ensure that even more airport employees have the resources they need to provide for their families while keeping us safe on our travels. With looming federal cuts, increased travel congestion and reduced staffing, our airport employees need this additional support now more than ever and the Assembly Majority is proud to stand by any effort that provides for New York’s hardworking families.”
New York State Assembly Labor Committee Chair Harry B. Bronson said, “Enhancing the Healthy Terminals Act ensures essential workers receive the good pay and safe working conditions necessary to keep our airports running and travelers happy. As Assembly Labor Chair, I am committed to defending the principles of unionism to make New York more affordable and secure for workers and families. Airports are significant economic drivers, and JFK and LaGuardia rely on these essential service workers to operate. I thank Governor Hochul for her partnership, and SEIU Local 32BJ and UNITE HERE Local 100 for their tireless fight in support of their workers.”
State Senator Jessica Ramos said, “Affordability in New York begins with recognizing the worth of those who move it forward. The Healthy Terminals Act delivers fair wages, vacation time, and long-denied protections to the essential workers who power our airports. By extending these rights to part-time workers, the Act closes a critical gap in labor protections and raises the standard for all.”
Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman said, “The expansion of the Healthy Terminals Act in this year’s state budget marks a significant victory for the thousands of dedicated airport workers at JFK, LaGuardia, and airports across New York. I was proud to author and champion this critical legislation, which expands access to essential benefits such as paid leave and quality health insurance. No worker should have to choose between their health, their livelihood, and their family. This law delivers greater economic security and dignity to the individuals who keep our airports running every day.”
The Healthy Terminals Act amendments are among several recent labor enhancements to strengthen and protect our workforce. In May, the Governor announced that the state will pay off the unemployment insurance debt to reduce costs for employers and increase benefits for workers, augment the enforcement power of the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) to fight wage theft, launch digital working papers to help young New Yorkers enter the workforce, increase penalties for child labor law violations and improve access to medical treatment for injured workers.
The FY 2026 State Budget also delivered on the Governor’s promise to put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of working class families. These affordability proposals that passed as part of the State Budget include a historic tax cut for the middle class — cutting taxes for more than 75 percent of all filers statewide; inflation refund checks of up to $400 for 585,000 households starting in October; tripling the size of the child tax credit, which provides 1.6 million New York families with children four and under $1,000 and $500 per child ages four to 16; and making investments to expand access to child care, including $400 million investment to safeguard child care subsidies and allocating $110 million in capital grants to support child care providers.
For more information about the Healthy Terminals Act, visit NYSDOL’s webpage.