New York City airport subcontractors to strike on Wednesday for living wage
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Version 0 of 1. New Yorkers, and those visiting them, may have to cross a picket line if they are flying in or out of John F Kennedy or LaGuardia airports after Wednesday night. Related: JFK airport baggage handlers strike despite sacking threat New York’s local SEIU 32BJ office announced its intention to take industrial action at a press conference on Tuesday. The airlines affected will be Delta, British Airways and United. The strike comes after months of protests by security officers, baggage handlers and wheelchair attendants working for the airlines’ subcontractor Aviation Safeguards. In addition to demanding a living wage of $15 an hour, the workers have demanded better benefits, affordable healthcare, the right to unionize and respect. “I am a security officer at JFK working for Aviation Safeguards,” Donna Carey announced as she took the stage in the auditorium at the local SEIU 32BJ office on Tuesday morning. “It is my hope that we all come together and stand for what is right and what is just … Tomorrow night at 10pm, we will strike.” Aviation Safeguards has not responded to the Guardian’s request for comment. Speaking to the Guardian in February, Craig P Coy, the CEO of Command Security the parent company of Aviation Safegaurds, pointed out that the company provides healthcare, benefits and pays $10.10 an hour. The contractors, however, insist that $10.10 is not a livable wage and that the healthcare offered through the company is unaffordable on such low pay. Last week, the two airports were informed of the upcoming strike and on Monday the workers held a vote in which they decided that the strike will officially begin on Wednesday night. It is unclear yet whether passengers will be affected. The subcontractors that are to participate in the strike include baggage handlers and wheelchair attendants who often work alongside the employees doing similar tasks. With subcontractors on strike, the airline employees might have to take on more work. Whether the strike will lead to delays is as yet unclear. Among the workers present for the official announcement was Chanes Cooper, who works as a wheelchair attendant for Aviations Safeguard. Despite working 40 hours a week, Cooper still cannot afford an apartment and lives in a shelter. “It’s unfortunate that we have to be here,” said Melissa Mark-Viverito, the speaker of the New York city council. “We are standing with you. In New York and in our airport, the time is now to tackle the worst-in-the-nation inequality crisis by raising wages for low-wage workers.” According to her, a majority of New Yorkers support raising the pay of low-wage workers, who are not just teenagers but men and women who are trying to support their families. Low-wage workers and members of the National Action Network, including the Rev Al Sharpton, are expected to come out to show their support of the striking workers. Related: 'We wear red, they wear blue': Delta contractors barely braving the cold “Other countries are laughing at us,” said Jorel Ware, a McDonald’s worker. Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with both “I can’t breathe” and “Fight for $15”, Ware pointed out that many US workers do not get healthcare through their job and are paid minimum wage, which is not a livable wage. “It’s a struggle on a daily basis. People ask me why I have no kids. My paycheck is the reason why. It’s like I am stagnant in my life.” He continued: “Everybody should have a living wage. All you companies if you aren’t paying $15 an hour, it’s not a living wage. Period. You need to take a look in the mirror and make the changes. And of course, if they don’t, we will make the changes for them.” In addition to Mark-Viverito, a handful of city officials spoke in support of the striking workers. Councilman David Greenfield said he was embarrassed that workers like Isabel Marte, who sat next to him, are paid as little as $10 an hour. “I was sitting next to Isabel and I was asking her about her job. She has been working at LaGuardia airport as a wheelchair attendant for 11 years, works hard, has a great record. She pays her rent, put two kids through college, and she makes little more than $10 an hour after 11 years working as a wheelchair attendant. “Honestly it’s not just a shame on Aviation Safeguards. It’s not just a shame on the airports. It’s a shame on all New Yorkers,” Greenfield continued. “What kind of message are we sending to those folks [who land at JFK or LaGuardia]: ‘Welcome to America where you get paid minimum wage!’ It’s embarrassing quite frankly.” Marte, wearing a white T-shirt with an Aviation Safeguards logo on the sleeves, nodded her head. |