28 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • MAY 2021
STRIKE THREAT
JFK WORKERS RALLY
BY DEAN MOSES
Hundreds of airport workers with 32BJ
SEIU, one of the nation’s largest service
workers unions, held a rally outside
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Terminal 5 on April 21 in preparation
for a possible walkout unless they
receive a fair contract.
More than 10,000 New York and New
Jersey airport workers at JFK, LaGuardia,
and Newark Liberty International
airports are demanding the proper
implementation of new healthcare
legislation, the Healthy Terminals Act,
that would provide staff with meaningful
benefits and protections — much of
which they say they did not have access
to while working during the Covid-19
pandemic. Additionally, the majority
of the employees are Black, Brown and
immigrant workers, who already have
been disproportionately affected by
the novel coronavirus.
“Yesterday, justice was served, and our
country took a major step in the right
direction,” said 32BJ SEIU President
Kyle Bragg on April 21, referring to
the trial of Derek Chauvin. “However,
we know that in order to achieve
true racial justice, we must continue
to fight for economic justice, healthcare
justice, and dignity and respect
Black and Brown workers deserve.
It’s unconscionable to think that these
contractors are trying to get in the way
of Black and Brown front-line workers
receiving healthcare.”
Tensions are high because airline employees
are fed up with the lack of care
they say their employers have for their
health and safety. All their bargaining
chips are on the table, and if an agreement
is not met soon, they will strike,
affecting operations at three airports.
The 32BJ airport workers say it’s time
to put the billions of dollars the airlines
received from the CARES Act toward
healthcare justice and equity.
“I stand with the 32BJ airport workers
as they fight for a fair contract.
Our frontline workers — who are
disproportionately Black and Brown
— have sacrificed so much during this
pandemic. They deserve robust health
coverage and a full suite of good benefits.
Let’s get this done,” said Brooklyn
Borough President Eric Adams.
Members of Local BJ 32 protest outside JFK airport. (Lloyd Mitchell)
Many of these workers have helped
keep the cabins and terminals clean
during the pandemic, while others
put their lives at risk to handle baggage
and hold their post as security officers,
wheelchair attendants, and skycaps.
They say that they cannot protect
passengers without first protecting
themselves.
In addition, many of these jobs are subcontracted
and have been the first unit
to begin bargaining since the Covid-19
onset.
Discussions began virtually on March
4 and workers have been pushing for
racial and healthcare justice in their
contract negotiations. Their current
contract expired on April 1, and they
were set to have another meeting
on April 23 to continue bargaining
measures.
As of now, the employees have learned
of a proposal to remove MLK Day as a
paid holiday, a blow that many of those
at the rally say is disrespectful after
the turbulent year pushing for racial
justice.
“I risked myself, my family to do my
job throughout the pandemic,” said
Cristina Mendez, a LaGuardia terminal
cleaner, as she addressed a sea of more
than 250 32BJ SEIU essential airport
workers at a rally on April 21. “And
these employers are penny-pinching
over our safety and healthcare.”
amNewYork Metro reached out to Port
Authority of NY and NJ for comment,
and is awaiting a response.
This story first appeared in amNewYork
Metro
“ It’s unconscionable to think that these contractors
are trying to get in the way of Black and Brown frontline
workers receiving healthcare,” said Kyle Bragg.
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
