Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced an executive action Monday that increases the minimum wage to $18 an hour for direct state contract employees at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Moore’s Labor Day announcement came during an address at the State House in Annapolis. The governor was joined by leaders of 32BJ SEIU — a union representing service workers — along with workers and Maryland’s secretary of transportation, Katie Thomson.

Moore said his address aimed to celebrate workers across the state on Labor Day. He noted, however, that the event was ironic.

“The truth is that all across Maryland, there are countless union members that are currently on the job as we speak, on Labor Day,” he said, pointing to nurses, firefighters, EMTs and first responders.

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Moore explained that the new minimum wage requirement, which he said would take effect immediately, will affect BWI workers who hold direct contracts with the Maryland Aviation Administration. This accounts for about 120 workers, including security guards, custodians, groundskeepers and wheelchair agents.

“I am directing the Maryland Department of Transportation to make sure that no airport worker under a direct contract with the Maryland Aviation Administration is paid less than $18 an hour,” Moore said.