HOUSTON – 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.
Augusta Dillon, who works as a tool room agent at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, spoke during Mayor John Whitmire’s announcement of a new wage increase for contracted airport workers.
Dillon said she has worked at IAH for years, working 10-hour shifts four days a week while earning $16.75 an hour.
She is also raising her six-year-old grandson.
Dillon said that income has made it difficult to keep up with basic expenses, including rent, daycare, insurance, utilities, groceries and clothing.
“We don’t just live paycheck to paycheck,” Dillon said. “We are always robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
She became emotional as she explained that she recently had to make a difficult choice between paying her rent and her car payment.
“I chose to pay my rent,” she said.
Dillon said her car was repossessed Tuesday after she was unable to make the payment.
“Yesterday they took possession of my car because I couldn’t make that payment,” she said.
But Wednesday’s wage announcement gave her a sense of hope.
Dillon said earning more money would allow her to buy groceries without constantly worrying about what she would have to put back.
“I can breathe a little easier knowing I can buy groceries without worrying so much about what I have to put back,” she said.
She also said the additional income would mean being able to say “yes” to her grandson more often.
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.
“I’m thankful about catching up instead of always falling behind,” she said. “I’m thankful about a little more security for my family and a better future for my grandson.”
A surprise offer
After Dillon finished speaking, Willie Gonzalez, a leader with UNITE HERE, stepped in with an unexpected offer.
“I’m gonna donate a thousand dollars for you to get your car back, okay?” Gonzalez said.
The announcement prompted cheers and an emotional reaction from those gathered at City Hall.
Gonzalez had spoken earlier in support of the wage increase, saying the fight for better wages is also about respect for workers.
“We’ve stepped one rung up the ladder, but there’s a lot rungs to go,” Gonzalez said.
Whitmire thanked Dillon for having the courage to share her story.
“Thank you, Miss Dillon, for your courage,” Whitmire said.
The mayor later told the crowd that moments like Dillon’s story are part of why he believes the work is important.
“This is why you come to work,” Whitmire said. “This is why we come to learn.”
New wages could mean more financial stability
Under Whitmire’s new executive order, contracted airport workers will see their wages increase to $20 an hour beginning Wednesday.
The wage will increase to $21 an hour on Jan. 1, 2027, $22 an hour in October 2027 and $23 an hour in 2028.
SEIU Texas President Elsa Flores said the increase could provide thousands of airport workers with greater economic stability.
She said unexpected bills, health issues and other emergencies can have major consequences for workers living paycheck to paycheck.
“The economic fallout from low wages negatively impacts workers’ lives,” Flores said.
For Dillon, the change is personal.
She said she is looking forward to returning to work with a bigger smile and being able to tell her coworkers that they “finally did it.”
And she hopes the higher wages will eventually help her get back on the road.
“I’m thinking about that car that I just lost that I will be soon, I’ll be able to get it again,” Dillon said.