10,000 32BJ SEIU Airport Workers in New York and New Jersey Open Bargaining for Contract Renewal  
Eyes on post-COVID recovery, majority Black and immigrant workers fight to implement new healthcare legislation, discrimination protections, and protect worker health and safety in the first and largest airports bargaining since COVID-19 onset

Elected bargaining committee representing over 10,000 majority Black and immigrant airport workers, members of 32BJ SEIU, across John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark airports sit across from employers virtually on Thursday in the first sessions to bargain for new contracts as airports look to recover from a year-long COVID-19 battle.

The unit will be the largest group of airport workers to start bargaining since COVID-19 onset, and is expected to lead the nationwide conversation on essential worker safety and recovery following COVID-19.

During a virtual rally on Thursday morning, about 200 airport workers were joined by elected officials from New York and New Jersey in a show of support for the workers’ bargaining demands, which include smooth implementation of the recently ratified healthcare benefits supplement, worker health and safety protections, as well as expanded organizing rights.

“As our country continues to rebuild itself and leaves a year of pain behind, we must make sure that we rebuild an economy that works for the working people,” said Kyle Bragg, President of 32BJ, calling for “a system that cares for the essential workers that cared for us”.

32BJ reported that close to 60-70% of its airport workers were furloughed or laid off during the peak of the pandemic, in April/May. However, the union and its workers expect recalls to continue as passenger traffic continues to increase.

“I’m excited to go back to doing a job I love; but without our union protections, that could’ve been the end of my career at the airport,” said Vladimir Claijeune, a JFK passenger service representative who was furloughed in March, “We were reminded of the strength and importance of our union once again during the pandemic.”

Among workers’ demands is seamless implementation of the Healthy Terminals Act, a benefit supplement recently signed into law in New York and must now pass in New Jersey, which equips thousands of airport workers with meaningful healthcare benefits.

Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, a co-sponsor of the bill, said, “If we are serious about recovering from the economic impact of this pandemic, we have to be serious about working for the working people.” Hyndman continued, “I am excited to stand with you once again as you call for the seamless implementation of the Healthy Terminals Act and other provisions that will put health and safety to the forefront.”

“I was proud to introduce and pass the Healthy Terminals Act last year because long before COVID-19, mostly Black, Brown, and immigrant airport workers served this State on the frontlines without access to the healthcare they need to keep themselves and their families safe,” said NY State Senator Alessandra Biaggi. “With the passage of this bill, these essential workers will finally have access to affordable healthcare coverage. I look forward to seeing HTA be implemented meaningfully and with integrity.”

“The thousands of essential workers getting ready to bargain for their contract today are the backbone of Newark, LaGuardia and JFK,” added NJ State Senator and co-sponsor of the Healthy Terminals Act Teresa Ruiz, “The Senate has taken action and we hope the Assembly will soon follow. It is necessary that we pass this legislation in New Jersey and ensure a smooth implementation to make sure these workers have the protections they need.”

Union and elected officials also signaled at the importance of a fair contract in strengthening post-pandemic recovery and instilling confidence in travel as the airline industry gears up for post-pandemic recovery.

“This year, economic recovery is on the bargaining table,” said Kyle Bragg of 32BJ, “After the airline industry received up to $65 billion in taxpayer bailout money over the last 12 months, we are simply asking for the bare minimum the workers need in order to do their jobs safely.”

The union also pointed out that majority of its airport members are Black, brown and immigrants – among the hardest hit during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Queens is the gateway to the rest of the country and the world because of our airports, and there are many workers of color who regularly face systemic racial inequalities, which have been heightened by this pandemic. We need to ensure our airport workers have a voice on the job to fight for security, dignity and respect. A strong contract for thousands of airport workers color is a crucial step toward justice and equity. Our borough fully supports the hardworking staff of JFK and LaGuardia airports,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr.

Among workers’ demands are provisions to prohibit employers from discriminating workers based on traits historically associated with race, including hairstyles and hair textures.

In his remarks, 32BJ’s Vice President and Director of Organizing Rob Hill said, “Our 10,000 airport workers here in New York and New Jersey continue to be on the forefront of turning airports that were once no different than old-school sweatshops to providers of good, family-sustaining jobs for working people everywhere.”

New York and New Jersey airport workers were key in the fight for $15 minimum wage, and went on to win the nation’s highest mandated minimum wage of $19/hour by 2023 in NY-NJ.

“We will demand quarterly health & safety committee meetings, so that the wellbeing of our workers is never forgotten and we will demand that the seniority of workers impacted by the pandemic is protected, so that our workers can seamlessly recover from this pandemic,” Hill added, “This contract is how our airports take meaningful steps to recover.”

Airport workers represented by 32BJ include passenger service representatives, cabin and terminal cleaners, baggage handlers, security officers, wheelchair attendants and skycaps.

Workers and employers are set to meet back at the virtual bargaining table on March 11^th.

###

With 175,000 members in 11 states, including 16,000 across airports up and down the east coast, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country