Hundreds of airline catering workers at JFK Airport will join thousands protesting at other airports throughout the U.S. on historically busy travel day.
For Immediate Release:
November 20th,2019
Yimelka Morales
917-561-7504
In what will be, collectively, the largest worker-led demonstration at U.S. airports in years, workers and supporters will call for American Airlines to address poverty wages, expensive health care
WHO: UNITE HERE Local 100 airline catering workers and their supporters.
WHAT: Collectively, the largest demonstration of workers at U.S. airports in years featuring pickets, marches, sit-ins, and die-ins calling on American Airlines to take urgent and necessary steps to ensure that workers who cater its flights are able to escape poverty and access medical care.
WHERE: JFK Airport – Terminal 8.
WHEN: Tuesday, November 26 at 3:00 P.M.
WHY: This protest is set to be the latest in a series of demonstrations by airline catering workers at U.S. airports. Though their work is essential to airline operations, A survey of 581 out of approximately 4,100 Sky Chefs workers serving American Airlines at the carrier’s hubs found that 30% of the workers were uninsured and 35% rely on government-subsidized healthcare for themselves or their kids. Meanwhile, American reported a 2018 annual profit of $1.9 billion. Workers hope that by bringing their message to the many passengers travelling before Thanksgiving, they will motivate American to resolve the labor dispute.
In addition to ongoing protest activity at JFK airport in New York, previous large-scale demonstrations calling attention to American Airlines have already taken place this year in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Dallas-Ft. Worth—where over 50 were arrested in a civil disobedience near American Airlines’ headquarters and largest hub airport. This past summer UNITE HERE airline catering workers a JFK airport in New York voted overwhelmingly to strike when released by the National Mediation Board. Federal mediation of contract negotiations continues.
