NEWARK AIRPORT WORKERS FACE UNCERTAINTY, CALL OUT UNITED FOR DESTABILIZING CHANGE IN CONTRACTOR  

United has already upended 600 workers’ lives at EWR and by the end of this month that number could reach 850

Baggage, aircraft transport, and security-related workers face uncertain future

United’s is continuing contractor changes despite statements of concern from U.S. Senators Booker and Kim

Labor advocates warn that as dominant airlines consolidate power at Newark, both travelers and frontline airport workers are increasingly being asked to absorb the costs through higher fares, reduced competition, unstable jobs, and weaker labor standards.

NEWARK, NJ — NEWARK, NJ — On Thursday, June 4, workers who service United Airlines at Newark Liberty International Airport came together with Essex County Commissioner A' Dorian Murray-Thomas and East Orange Board of Education Member and Essex County Commissioner candidate Medinah Muhammad to demand United Airlines reverse course on changes that jeopardize  workers’ full-time jobs, benefits, and workplace protections. The action comes less than one month before United Airlines is expected to replace Omni-Serv with United Ground Express (UGE), United’s subsidiary contractor.

The transition is scheduled to take effect July 1 and could put approximately 250 workers at risk of losing stable full-time jobs, fully employer-paid healthcare, dental coverage, legal benefits, paid training, and workplace protections they fought years to secure.

In 2025, United moved 600 workers to UGE. What was presented in 2025 to workers as a smooth transition quickly became, according to workers, a devastating rollback of hours, benefits, and workplace protections, including the reduction of full-time positions and the failure to comply with paid holiday requirements.

In 2025, U.S. Senator Cory Booker previously called on United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby to explain what steps United Airlines could take to support workers that would see their hours severely cut and benefits and job protections changed as a result of the contractor transition.

Last month, U.S. Senator Andy Kim warned that reduced competition and growing airline concentration could increase costs for consumers and worsen conditions for workers. The senator cautioned against allowing dominant carriers to further consolidate control over airport space in ways that could drive up prices and weaken labor standards.

The concerns come as 32BJ SEIU continues to challenge UGE over worker reports of labor violations at Newark Airport. On September 29, 2025, 32BJ SEIU filed a formal complaint with the New Jersey Department of Labor alleging that following the 2025 change in contractors, UGE failed to comply with New Jersey's Healthy Terminals Act (HTA), a landmark law designed to guarantee affordable healthcare coverage and labor protections for airport workers. The complaint alleged workers were denied critical healthcare supplements and paid holidays required under state law.

"This is not just a worker issue. This is an affordability issue impacting New Jersey families overall," said Ana Maria Hill, Vice President and New Jersey State Director of 32BJ SEIU. "At a time when New Jersey families are already struggling with affordability, United Airlines is benefiting from less competition at Newark while frontline airport workers are being told to accept less healthcare, fewer protections, and more instability. Passengers are paying more to fly, workers are paying more to survive, and United continues to profit in the middle of it all."

Workers and union leaders warn the move could replicate what many employees say happened during United's previous contractor transition from Prospect Aviation to UGE in 2025, when workers reported reduced hours and lost benefits.

"Unfortunately, we will be losing many benefits — our current fully-paid medical, training classes, dental, legal and life insurance. There are no guarantees we will retain what we have, including. We don't know what the future holds," said Stacy, an Omni-Serv worker at Newark Liberty International Airport.

"We are fed up with injustice. We are fed up with disrespect. We are here today to say: give us our rights, give us our hours, and give us our healthcare. There would be no Newark Airport—and there would be no United Airlines as we know it—without each and every one of these workers," said Essex County Commissioner A' Dorian Murray-Thomas.

"It is frustrating to be here yet again after a pandemic where you worked and supported this place, putting yourself and your families at risk when we didn't know what COVID was, and now even more so with all the other threats that are happening these days," said East Orange Board of Education Member and Essex County Commissioner candidate Medinah Muhammad.

Workers say the transition is not simply about a change in contractors — it is about whether they can continue affording healthcare, supporting their families, and remaining in the jobs they have dedicated years to.

"We have families to feed. It is disappointing that this company failed to notify us earlier so workers could prepare or look for another job," said Kany, an Omni-Serv worker at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Workers fear the transition could result in:

• More part-time jobs and reduced hours
• Loss of fully employer-paid healthcare
• Increased out-of-pocket medical costs
• Loss of legal and training benefits
• Greater instability for longtime airport workers
• Increased turnover and operational strain at Newark Airport

"What we are seeing is a dangerous race to the bottom," Hill added. "Newark Airport runs because of these workers. If United truly values safety, reliability, and operational stability, then it must stop balancing profits on the backs of working people."

Workers and advocates say the latest contractor replacement raises serious questions about whether United Airlines is creating a lower-cost, lower-protection workforce at Newark Liberty Airport at a time when the airline continues to strengthen its dominance in the region.

The mobilization comes amid growing concerns about affordability at Newark Airport following the collapse of Spirit Airlines and increasing scrutiny of airline consolidation. Recent reports showed United Airlines experienced a surge of more than 103,000 bookings following Spirit's collapse through a program for Spirit customers whose travel was disrupted.

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32BJ SEIU represents 15,000 building service workers in New Jersey, including 3,000 airport workers.