20 The Queens Courier • january 23, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Protest, march for airport workers’ rights BY KATELYN DI SALVO editorial@queenscourier.com Wendy Arellano, a single mother of two from Corona, holds down three jobs to try to make ends meet. She makes $8 an hour working at LaGuardia Airport and has now stood up to make her voice heard. Arellano, together with close to 1,000 other airport employees, local elected officials and community leaders gathered on Martin Luther King Day at LaGuardia Airport to demand better rights and benefits for airport workers. In December, workers presented the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey with petitions signed by more than 2,000 workers at LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark Airports demanding Martin Luther King Day 2014 as a paid holiday. When they did not hear back, the workers and local union SEIU 32BJ, who represent most of the employees, decided to organize the civil disobedience on Monday, January 20. “Personally I think it’s sad, I work three jobs to get through the months and even years, I don’t think what I make is enough for anyone to get by, and I hope this has gotten to the ears of the Port Authority,” said Arellano. Andrew Lloyd, a cabin cleaner at JFK International Airport, said he has a full-time job and is also on public assistance. “I find that to be ridiculous that I am working so hard, working overtime, and I still need public assistance, I have no health insurance, no sick days, no paid vacation days and I’m here to say I’m tired, we need respect,” he said. Many federal, state and local elected officials and clergy members joined the rally, standing side by side with workers. “The thousands of New York area airport workers who have no health insurance, paid sick leave or the right to organize deserve better for their tireless work,” said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark- Viverito. “It’s time to take care of the workers who help New York City maintain its position as an international gateway.” Hector Figueroa, SEIU 32BJ president, led a march to the 94th Street and Ditmars Boulevard bridge leading to LaGuardia Airport. As workers marched they chanted “MLK is our day,” and police surrounded them and warned them to clear the streets. Workers and union members sat down in the middle of the bridge to make their statement clear. Police responded by arresting various people who would not clear out, ultimately arresting 32 people including local Councilmembers Jimmy Van Bramer, Daneek Miller and Ruben Wills. Those arrested were taken to the 115th Precinct, given summonses and released later in the day. The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey did not respond to request for comment as of press time. THE COURIER/ Photo by Katelyn Di Salvo Close to 1,000 airport workers, clergy members, and federal, state and city elected officials took part in a day of civil disobedience on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to demand better rights and benefits for airport workers. Premium care with a gentle touch Winter Specials Little Neck, NY 11362 718-224-9453 252-20 Northern Blvd. Suite 200 Dr Paul Im, D.D.S specializing in dental implants Implant Full Package Autumn Special 25% O Complete Exam, X-ray, and Scaling only $80 for new non-insured patients
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