On Thursday, October 16, the JFK Airport Chamber of Commerce held an open forum at JFK’s Building 14 with Ian Bogaty, Attorney at Law of Jackson Lewis P.C., to speak about the Healthy Terminals Act (HTA) and the many upcoming changes to the ‘Act’.
Originally enacted in 2021, the Healthy Terminals Act (HTA) establishes specific standards for wage rates for covered airport workers at covered airport locations, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA, and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The HTA requires that employers of covered airport workers provide an hourly standard benefits supplemental rate in addition to the applicable hourly minimum wage.
2026 Fiscal Year Budget Update
In May 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Enacted Budget, which amends the Healthy Terminals Act beginning January 1, 2026, to improve health care and leave benefits for workers at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International and LaGuardia airports, and expands the Act to include part-time workers as covered workers. The legislation also created a new exemption for small employers with 10 or fewer employees.
The following information is an overview from the HTA presentation provided by Jackson Lewis P.C.
Key Changes and Additions – Covered Employees
- ‘Covered Airport Worker’ – Now includes anyone who performs at least 50% of their weekly work at a covered airport, regardless of role
- Previously, non-cleaning and security related cargo and ramp services, and concession workers, were explicitly exempt.
- Exemptions: Employees in executive, administrative, or professional roles under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Key Changes and Additions – Wage & Benefit Standards
- Wages and supplemental benefits are now aligned to the Service Contract Act (SCA) and corresponding wage determinations in Queens County for JFK/LGA in Queens County and EWR in Essex County.
- Where the SCA minimum wage is lower that the Port Authority’s minimum wage, the higher Port Authority wage applies
- Current health and welfare benefit supplement=$5.55/hour, up to 40 hours per week.
Obligation can be met by:
Paying the amount in cash, or offsetting the amount with the value of employer-provided
Health insurance or other qualifying fringe benefits.
Key Changes & Additions – Paid Leave
- Paid vacation requirements are now aligned to the SCA, and corresponding wage determination in Queens County.
- Unused vacation time is paid out at the end of an employee’s service year.
Key Changes & Additions- Paid Holidays
- Employers must provide a minimum of 12 paid holidays per year.
- Employers can choose to substitute named holidays with another day off with pay as long as it is part of a communicated plan to employees.
