—Airplane Cleaners, Baggage Handlers Demand End to Unfair Labor Practices—
Boston, MA – August 19, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — As vacation-goers get ready to fly out of Logan, more than 100 non-union contracted airplane cleaners and baggage will go on strike to protest unfair labor practices committed by their employer, airline contractor G2 Secure Staff. G2 is currently under federal investigation by the National Labor Relations Board for violation of workers’ rights. This contractor provides services for Delta, American and other airlines.
This is the second non-union strike at Logan since June 16, when almost 100 Logan Airport airline contractorworkers walked off of their jobs to protest unfair labor practices by two service contractors, which resulted in formal complaints issued against G2, ReadyJet and two other contractors. Since the strike, Delta contractors G2 and ReadyJet have continued to threaten employees. Workers filed charges against their employers with the NLRB and the agency is currently investigating these new allegations.
ReadyJet imposed discipline on several Delta aircraft cleaners for failing to report to work on the day of the strike. One of those workers is Francisco Luna, who also spoke at the Massport Board meeting on July 16 to inform Port Authority officials about ReadyJet’s recent conduct against employees. On July 27, ReadyJet fired Francisco, relying in part on his previous disciplinary warning for failing to report to work on the day of the strike. Francisco (a resident of Mattapan) supports himself and family members with airport wages.
In 2012 Massport wrote to its licensed operators that “your Commercial Service Operator’s Agreement with the Authority requires that you comply with all federal and state employment laws at all times.” It is time for airline clients and Massport to take action to ensure only lawful conduct and treatment of airport workers by Logan Airport contractors.
Workers have been playing by the rules. They work hard every day to keep the airport running. Now they are demanding that employers respecttheir legal right to organize.
Logan Airport, New England’s largest transportation center brings more than $7 billion in economic activity to the area, but many of the workers there do not reap the benefits. To cut costs, airlines like JetBlue outsource passenger service jobs to low-bid contractors. This low-bid system leaves cabin cleaners, wheelchair attendants and baggage handlers who allow the airport to run making as little as $10 an hour, without access to affordable health benefits or sick days.
WHAT: Strike at Boston International Airport
WHO: Airport workers, labor leaders, elected officials
WHEN: Wednesday, August 19
– 6:30 AM: Pickets lines up – press availability at Boston Airport’s Hilton Room 209 (1 Hotel Dr. Boston, MA 02128) call Eugenio H. Villasante for more information at 646-285-1087
– 11:30 AM: Rally outside South Station (Summer st. and Atlantic ave.)
WHERE: Boston International Airport and South Station.
With 145,000 members in eleven states and Washington, D.C., including 18,000 in MA, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
Airplane Cleaners, Baggage Handlers Demand End to Unfair Labor Practices
Boston, MA— Nearly 100 non-union contracted airplane cleaners and baggage handlers will go on strike to protest unfair labor practices committed by their employers, ReadyJet Inc. and G2 Secure staff. These contractors provide services for JetBlue, US Airways, Delta and other airlines. Both companies are currently under federal investigation for violating workers’ rights.
Worker Intimidation. ReadyJet managers have subjected workers to unfair labor practices including illegal surveillance and threats, and impeding their ability to organize to improve conditions. In some cases, these incidents were related to workers raising concerns about security and health and safety problems they had witnessed.
The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against Ready Jet. OSHA is currently investigating whether ReadyJet illegally terminated workers for exercising their protected rights. In total, ReadyJet has fired nearly one third of its workforce at Logan since January 2014.
The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against G2 for illegal handbook clauses that mislead workers and impede their right to engage in concerted action.
Workers have been playing by the rules. They work hard every day to keep the airport running. Now they are demanding their legal right to a voice on the job.
WHAT: Strike at Boston International Airport
WHO: Airport workers, clergy, labor leaders, elected officials
WHEN: Wednesday, June 17
– 5:00 AM: Picket lines outside the Boston Airport T Stop (Blue Line)
– 7:30 AM: Press Conference at Boston Airport T Stop (Blue Line) need names
– 3:00 PM: Rally at Steps of State House
WHERE: Boston International Airport T Stop (Blue Line)
With 145,000 members in eleven states and Washington, D.C., including 18,000 in MA, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
Background:
ReadyJet, Inc., which provides cabin cleaning services to airlines at Logan including JetBlue, Delta, and US Airways, has an egregious record on health and safety and workers’ rights. ReadyJet has been cited at the state and federal levels for violating workers’ rights, and is under investigation for additional violations. The company continues to punish workers, cutting their hours and intimidating them from exercising their rights. G2 Secure Staff was fined by OSHA for improper storage of hazardous materials and received a final penalty of $2,400.
Wage Theft. In July 2014, the Massachusetts Attorney General ordered ReadyJet to pay employees $13,045 restitution for illegal wage deductions, plus a civil penalty of $5,000. The AG’s office found that money was deducted from 226 workers’ paychecks between July 2012 and May 2014 to pay for TSA badges and uniforms. The Attorney General’s investigation into other forms of wage theft at ReadyJet is still ongoing.
Health and Safety. In June 2014, the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) concluded an investigation into ReadyJet’s operations in Terminals A and C at Logan. Among OSHA’s findings:
- ReadyJet lavatory cleaners were not provided with protective equipment such as gloves and safety goggles to protect themselves from lavatory waste water spills.
- ReadyJet did not clean equipment it loaned to employees.
- Employees did not receive effective training on hazardous chemicals.
OSHA issued 4 initial citations against ReadyJet with a penalty of $29,500. After the company agreed to remedy some violations, 2 citations were removed and the fine was lowered to $2,000.
Hours Cuts. ReadyJet workers fought with workers from across Logan to win an airport wage standard of $10/hour starting in 2015. But 25 full-time ReadyJet workers had their hours cut to part-time after Massport approved the wage.
The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against Ready Jet. OSHA is currently investigating whether ReadyJet illegally terminated workers for exercising their protected rights. In total, ReadyJet has fired over 1/3 of its workforce at Logan since January 2014.
Workers have been playing by the rules. They work hard every day to keep the airport running. Now they are demanding their legal right to a voice on the job.
Logan Airport, New England’s largest transportation center, brings more than $7 billion in economic activity to the area, but many of the workers there do not reap the benefits. To cut costs, airlines like JetBlue outsource passenger service jobs to low-bid contractors. This low-bid system leaves cabin cleaners, wheelchair attendants and baggage handlers who allow the airport to run making as little as $10 an hour, without access to affordable health benefits or sick days.
Contact
Eugenio H. Villasante 646-285-1087
