JFK airport workers go on strike
BY BILL PARRY
Airport workers employed by Eulen
America, a subcontractor at Terminal 8
at JFK International Airport, walked off
the job Monday to demand that the company
treats workers with respect.
The baggage handlers. Federal Inspection
Services agents, passenger verification
agents and wheelchair attendants
went on strike to protest Eulen America
violating workers’ right to organize by
intimidating, coercing, disrespecting and
spying on workers on the job.
“Managers, when they suspect we
have been organizing, corner and interrogate
us,” wheelchair attendant Lasonia
Weaver said. “They say bad things
about the union. But we know the truth:
a union is our best path to good health insurance,
better pay and paid vacation.”
SEIU 32BJ has organized several
job actions against Eulen America this
year citing the company’s long history of
mistreatment of their almost exclusively
immigrant workforce, including allegations
that it retaliated against workers
for speaking out. The contractor that
provides passenger services to American
Airlines and other airlines has an
alarming history of unfair labor practice
complaints, allegations of retaliation,
unpaid wages and health and safety
Eulen America workers went on strike at JFK Airport Monday, claiming violations
against their right to organize. Courtesy of 32BJ
problems on the job.
“Eulen America needs to follow the
law. Eulen workers are striking to show
that lawbreaking and disrespect will no
longer be tolerated,” 32BJ Vice President
and Director of Organizing Rob Hill
said. “Eulen workers are not going to
take these abuses lying down. Eulen has
responded to workers’ organizing efforts
with threats, intimidation, retaliation
and surveillance. As the claims against
Eulen continue to grow, we will be out
here, fighting for our rights.”
QNS reached out to Eulen America
CEO Xavier Rabell and is awaiting his
response.
“It’s shameful that this company
comes here and doesn’t respect the right
to organize by using intimidation tactics.
But a lot of people here are going to
stop that,” Councilman Frncisco Moya
said. “We’ve got hardworking legislators
who stand up for our brothers and sisters
in labor. If Eulen thinks that you, the
workers, are not worth it, well, we have a
message for them. We will do everything
possible to stop this kind of intimidation
that happens in the workplace.”
Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas
stated that it is a violation of workers’
rights to spy on and intimidate workers.
“It’s a violation of workers’ rights to
retaliate for organizing,” Simotas said.
“”I’m here today to tell Eulen America
and everyone who contracts with them
that I’m going to be looking at companies
that continue to Eulen to do their work
because clearly they don’t respect workers.
It’s your right to fight for your rights
and I’m happy to support you. I will be
here until this fight is won.”
From City Hall rallies to picket lines
at JFK, political pressure continues to
grow against Eulen America.
“I was out here in July, and we’re back
now,” Assemblyman Edward Braunstein
said. “Workers are asking for dignity and
respect, these are simple things. We’re
going to keep coming back until Eulen
backs down and until we’re organized.
At the end of the day, we’re going to be
victorious.”
The striking workers returned to
their jobs Tuesday, following their oneday
strike.
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