Airport Workers Rally Vs. JetBlue

By LA QUINTA CLARK

JetBlue aiport workers demanded respect and a minimum wage increase to $15 during a rally at JFK Airport on Thursday.

“JetBlue, shame on you,” the crowd repeated as they waited to hear from speakers at the podium.

The rally was in conjunction with a walkout that started Wednesday night, after hundreds of cabin cleaners, terminal cleaners and wheelchair attendants employed by subcontractors Roma, Ultimate and Pax walked off the job. A similar strike occurred in November when thousands of workers walked off the job at seven of the country’s busiest hubs to dramatize what the workers call “subpar” working conditions.

The main organizers of the rally, 32BJ SEIU, provided workers with picket signs and t-shirts that read “Airport Workers Rising.” The crowd marched waving signs and chanting, “No justice, no peace – What do we want, justice and when do we want it, now – If we don’t get it, shut it down.”

The employees complaints were all the same – no respect from management, low pay and dangerous working conditions.

“We want respect and higher wages,” said Julissa, “We were not properly trained on how to deal with fluids and other hazardous waste.”
“All three companies have been cited for serious violations for not training employees properly pertaining to health and safety laws,” said Amity Paye of 32BJ.

The strike was originally planned for last Wednesday, but due to the terror attacks on Brussels Airport and the resulting security concerns, workers postponed it and held vigils instead.

“We are reminded that what happened in Brussels, this is a dangerous job,” said Pastor Jason Hendrickson of the Restoration Tabernacle church in Brooklyn. “The community is standing with you and praying for you.”

Pastor Hendrickson has friends who are employed with JetBlue and “was really shocked and appalled about the conditions they work in.” Hendrickson added that in order for the great plan to work this time they must have, “Communicators –say something if you see something, innovators, engagers and the culture must change.”

According to Denis Johnston, VP of Security Divisions at 32BJ, this is the ninth strike over the last three years for the organization. “They have a lot to fight for,” he said.

“Employers should be dedicated to creating good jobs for workers, but the people are left behind,” Johnston said.
Carlos Vega, cabin cleaner, has worked with Ultimate Airways for almost a year and complained that the disrespect from managers and unsafe working conditions has been this way since he started.

“We used to get breaks, but now they are trying to force one person to do a two-man job, without a break,” Vega said. “The respect is what we deserve, acknowledge we stand together and we will not take any intimidation from the companies anymore.”

The low wages are not conducive to support a family in New York City and for Shareeka –a subcontractor employee for three years—the biggest issue was the pay.

“Only working 30 hours a week for $10.10 does not support a family and most have to have government assistance to get by,” she said.

The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health held a workers training session, after the rally on how to properly use equipment to handle and discard dangerous fluids.

The job action was set to end around 10 p.m., according to Paye, which is when the first night workers begin their shift.
“They will be escorted by authority figures back to work to ensure they are able to return to work and not fired after participating in the rally,” said Paye.

The airline gave this official statement about the job action: “JetBlue is committed to ensuring an appropriate wage for airport workers. We have long been on the record urging our business partners to be responsive to the needs of their employees.”