Catering Workers Serving American Airlines Kick Off “Fast for Our Families” in Miami with NFL Players Association Executive Director, elected leaders

 

As travelers arrive in Miami for Super Bowl LIV, workers launch 6-day fast at Miami International Airport to call for an end to poverty wages and unaffordable health care

Catering workers serving American Airlines launched a “Fast For Our Families” that will run through Saturday. Nine fasters, including 3 Local 100 airline catering workers from  New York, joined in solidarity by National Football Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Commissioner Jean Monastine and Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26).

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said that all labor has dignity. Let’s remember, as hundreds of thousands of people descend onto Miami this week, that behind every Super Bowl party and celebration, there are men and women doing the work behind the scenes to be able to feed their families,” said NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith. “The NFLPA is proud to stand in solidarity with airline catering this week, and shame on American Airlines for not taking action to make sure they are provided a living wage.”

Fasters will be joined by other prominent allies as the week continues.

Though American Airlines, which has named MIA as one of its most important U.S. hubs, has earned $1.9 billion in profits in 2018, over 70% of airline catering employees at LSG Sky Chefs who service American at MIA earn below the living wage set for other airport employees.

Only 19% of airline catering workers serving American at MIA had company healthcare in 2018, and only 4% covered any dependents. A 2019 survey of 128 out of 840 employees in Miami found that 48% depend on government-funded healthcare programs for themselves or their children. Thirty-five percent (35%) reported that they are uninsured entirely.
The fasters will base their week-long protest at MIA Terminal D, Departures area, but will hold daily actions at the airport and other Super Bowl events to spread their message as widely as possible. The fasters will be joined throughout the week by catering workers from other cities across the United States. These workers primarily serve American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines and are all working together to end poverty and secure good, affordable health care industry-wide.