Gov. Moore announces $18 minimum wage for direct BWI contract workers

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A minimum wage increase is coming for some of the lowest-paid workers at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Gov. Wes Moore says more changes could follow for hundreds of other airport employees.

On Labor Day, Gov. Moore announced a minimum wage increase to $18 an hour for direct Maryland Aviation Administration contract workers at BWI.

The governor also said he will introduce emergency legislation at the beginning of the 2027 legislative session to create a pathway to raising the minimum wage for indirect contract workers at BWI by reforming and extending the Secure Maryland Wage Act.

“To keep BWI competitive, we believe that employers that serve the airport must make a meaningful increase to its minimum wage with annual increases and paid leave for employees covered by the Secure Maryland Wage Act,” Moore said. “Employers must also provide covered airport workers with a health and welfare supplement to ensure these workers have a path to receive quality, employer-paid health insurance.”

Gov. Moore made the announcement at a Labor Day event with 32BJ SEIU leadership and Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson.

He directed the Maryland Department of Transportation to ensure no airport workers under a direct contract with the Maryland Aviation Administration are paid less than $18 an hour, increasing wages for BWI’s lowest-paid workers who support the airport’s operations.

“BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is one of the backbones of Maryland’s economy and MDOT is proud to support the Moore-Miller Administration’s efforts to secure this talented workforce,” Thomson said. “Investing in valuable assets – like our dedicated airport workers – is a core focus for the department and will strengthen BWI Marshall’s competitive edge as we continue to add new services and improve the existing experience for residents and visitors alike.”

The governor also committed to proposing emergency legislation early in the 2027 legislative session to extend and reform the Secure Maryland Wage Act, which expires this year. The Secure Maryland Wage Act, originally passed in 2021, increased wages for contract workers of the Maryland Aviation Administration, but excluded approximately 700 to 800 BWI workers who are not directly contracted by the agency.

The proposed emergency legislation would create a pathway to providing economic security and a sustainable income for all workers who support BWI, not just those under contract with the state.

“We are grateful to Governor Moore for providing a sorely needed wage increase for some of our BWI airport workers,” said 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich. “This Labor Day, we stand united in demanding more for the essential workers who keep BWI Airport running. Fair wages, quality health insurance, and paid time off are not just basic necessities for the workers who clean planes, secure terminals, and assist passengers—they help BWI retain the skilled, experienced workforce necessary to keep our airport safe. Amending the Secure Maryland Wage Act is an affordable, commonsense solution that will solve the retention crisis at our airport and raise standards for everyone.”