HOUSTON \u2013 An emotional moment unfolded at Houston City Hall Wednesday after an airport worker shared how difficult it has been to make ends meet on her past wages.<\/p>\n
Augusta Dillon, who works as a tool room agent at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, spoke during Mayor John Whitmire\u2019s announcement of a new wage increase for contracted airport workers.<\/p>\n
Dillon said she has worked at IAH for years, working 10-hour shifts four days a week while earning $16.75 an hour.<\/p>\n
She is also raising her six-year-old grandson.<\/p>\n
Dillon said that income has made it difficult to keep up with basic expenses, including rent, daycare, insurance, utilities, groceries and clothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t just live paycheck to paycheck,\u201d Dillon said. \u201cWe are always robbing Peter to pay Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n
She became emotional as she explained that she recently had to make a difficult choice between paying her rent and her car payment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI chose to pay my rent,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Dillon said her car was repossessed Tuesday after she was unable to make the payment.<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday they took possession of my car because I couldn\u2019t make that payment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
But Wednesday\u2019s wage announcement gave her a sense of hope.<\/p>\n
Dillon said earning more money would allow her to buy groceries without constantly worrying about what she would have to put back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can breathe a little easier knowing I can buy groceries without worrying so much about what I have to put back,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She also said the additional income would mean being able to say \u201cyes\u201d to her grandson more often.<\/p>\n
Dillon said she is looking forward to catching up financially instead of always falling behind and hopes she will eventually be able to get another car.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m thankful about catching up instead of always falling behind,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m thankful about a little more security for my family and a better future for my grandson.\u201d<\/p>\n
A surprise offer<\/p>\n
After Dillon finished speaking, another SEIU worker stepped in with an unexpected offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m gonna donate a thousand dollars for you to get your car back, okay?\u201d the man said.<\/p>\n
The announcement prompted cheers and an emotional reaction from those gathered at City Hall.<\/p>\n
Gonzalez had spoken earlier in support of the wage increase, saying the fight for better wages is also about respect for workers.<\/p>\n
Whitmire thanked Dillon for having the courage to share her story.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Miss Dillon, for your courage,\u201d Whitmire said.<\/p>\n
The mayor later told the crowd that moments like Dillon\u2019s story are part of why he believes the work is important.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is why you come to work,\u201d Whitmire said. \u201cThis is why we come to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
New wages could mean more financial stability<\/p>\n
Under Whitmire\u2019s new executive order, contracted airport workers will see their wages increase to $20 an hour beginning Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The wage will increase to $21 an hour on Jan. 1, 2027, $22 an hour in October 2027 and $23 an hour in 2028.<\/p>\n
SEIU Texas President Elsa Flores said the increase could provide thousands of airport workers with greater economic stability.<\/p>\n
She said unexpected bills, health issues and other emergencies can have major consequences for workers living paycheck to paycheck.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe economic fallout from low wages negatively impacts workers\u2019 lives,\u201d Flores said.<\/p>\n
For Dillon, the change is personal.<\/p>\n
She said she is looking forward to returning to work with a bigger smile and being able to tell her coworkers that they \u201cfinally did it.\u201d<\/p>\n
And she hopes the higher wages will eventually help her get back on the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m thinking about that car that I just lost that I will be soon, I\u2019ll be able to get it again,\u201d Dillon said.<\/p>\n
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