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Airport Workers Hold Airline CEOs Accountable
Airport workers are fed up! On March 30, contracted airport workers from coast to coast took demands for fair wages and good union jobs directly to airline CEOs! Airport workers help keep airports safe, secure and accessible for all passengers, but are still paid as little as $8 an hour in some places, while airline CEOs are paid $5,000 an hour. Enough is Enough!
SEIU Local 73 and Local 1 airport workers rallied outside United Airlines headquarters in Chicago. Workers called on United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby to sign the pledge.
“At SEIU Local 1, we know change at the airport is possible. We’ve organized more than 2,000 workers, and we’ve raised their wages. That was because we used our political and people power to get it done,” said Genie Kastrup, President of SEIU Local 1. “We’re here today, along with 20 other national airport actions that are happening all across the country to say enough is enough. We demand United Airlines sign the good jobs good airport pledge.”
Together, airport workers are demanding the CEOs of each of the nation’s largest airlines sign the GOOD AIRPORTS PLEDGE and commit to ensuring everyone – Black, brown, native-born and newcomer – is paid a living wage, provided affordable healthcare and a voice on the job in their union.
“PSAs like me across the country are making as little as $8 an hour, having to choose between a bill and providing for a loved one,” said Stefan Mejdina. “Everyone deserves to be paid a living wage and compensated fairly for their work. $8 an hour is just not going to cut it.”
“There are actions today that happened all along the east coast from JFK to Miami where airport workers stand in solidarity with the workers in Chicago saying ‘No Mas! No More!’,” said Mary Kay Henry, President of SEIU. “Corporate greed has got to end. United has to raise wages and provide healthcare and benefits for all workers in Chicago!”
“As flight attendants we know that we can do our job if you can’t do your job,” said Sara Nelson, President of Association of Flight Attendants. “The 50,000 members of our union, flying over us right now in solidarity, stand with airport workers!”
This action is the latest in the #UnionsForAll movement where workers are demanding respect and a fair deal. We’re letting these greedy Airline CEOs know: We’re not stopping until all working people have the freedom to join a union.