Fort Lauderdale, FL – SEIU congratulated Quentin “Beam” Furr on his victory tonight in the Democratic primary election for the Broward County Commission.

“We hope to have the opportunity to work with Furr and other Commission members to help pass legislation ensuring all workers at Fort Lauderdale International Airport are paid a living wage,” said Helene O’Brien, 32BJ SEIU’s Florida Director.

Contracted airport service workers at FLL are excluded from the airport’s living wage law, an issue 32BJ plans to push during the upcoming Commission session. Airlines at FLL are using low-bid contractors who routinely cut costs on the backs of employees to increase profits at the top. According to a recent study, low-bid contracting creates a race to the bottom that keeps workers in poverty, compromises the quality of service provided to passengers, and deprives communities of badly needed economic activity.

According to a recent study, an estimated 37 percent of these workers and their families nationwide receive Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credit, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or some combination.

With more than 145,000 members in 11 states, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country. SEIU represents 2.1 million members nationwide, including over 55,000 retired and active members who provide vital services across Florida in the Health Care, Public Service and Building Service sectors.

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