Our National Day of Action on February 14 at JFK !

  Our National Day of Action on February 14!

On February 14, we elevated our call to American, Delta, and United Airlines. We demonstrated, leafleted, fasted, did civil disobedience, rallied, and made sure that our voices were heard.

Our message was loud and clear: one job should be enough for airline catering workers to earn a decent living.

 

“Even though it’s a holiday, I’m protesting today. We’re at JFK and at airports across the country because we want as many passengers as possible to know that airline catering workers are sick and tired of being the lowest-paid and worst-treated workers in the airline industry,” said Celestine McIntosh from New York. “One job should be enough to live a decent life, it’s what me and my co-workers deserve.”

 

Food workers protest at JFK Airport for higher pay, better healthcare

Hundreds of airline catering workers serving American Airlines to protest at JFK airport on February 14

For Immediate Release

February 10, 2020

Yimelka Morales

917-561-7504

[email protected] .

 

Workers will participate in civil disobedience as a part of a national day of action calling on airlines to take action to end poverty and unaffordable health care in the airline catering industry

 

WHO: UNITE HERE Local 100 represented airline catering workers and their supporters

 

WHAT: 60 workers and allies will be participating in civil disobedience inside the airport, they’re calling on American to take urgent and necessary steps to ensure that workers who cater its flights are able to escape poverty and access medical care.

WHERE: Rally begins outside of JFK Airport Terminal 8, Upper Departures Level

WHEN: Friday, February 14 at 3pm-5pm

*Participating workers and Union leadership are available for advance interviews.

WHY: American Airlines reported $1.7 billion in net income in 2019 and returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in 2019. Yet, subcontracted airline catering workers who provide the food and beverages served aboard American’s flights at JFK Airport and around the country remain stuck in poverty.

 

Contracted catering workers at JFK prepare the American’s first-class meals and ensure its flights are properly stocked for on-time departures, but only 26% of workers at LSG Sky Chefs at JFK had company healthcare in 2018, and only 5% covered any dependents. In a 2019 survey by UNITE HERE of 2,240 out of 15,000 catering workers at the two largest contractors nationally, 56% of respondents reported having gone to work sick, 66% because they could not afford to miss time.

 

American Airlines recently reached a $4.2 billion agreement with its well-deserving ground and maintenance workers in TWU-IAM. It should address the concerns of all workers who make its operations possible—including the catering workers who continue to be left behind.

 

 

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Airline Food Workers Rally at JFK Terminal 8

 

On February 14, during the busy President’s Day and Valentine’s Day travel rush, airline catering workers and their supporters will call on American Airlines to take urgent and necessary steps to ensure workers who cater inflight meals and beverages are able to escape poverty and access health care. Workers will be participating in marches, pickets, sit-downs and die-ins throughout the country.

This day of national protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations at U.S. airports calling attention to American Airlines, including our past nationwide protest on Thanksgiving weekend at John F. Kennedy Airport. Throughout 2019, airline catering workers held large-scale demonstrations in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Dallas-Ft. Worth—where over 50 were arrested in a civil disobedience action near American Airlines’ headquarters and largest hub airport.

Buses will be available departing from our Newark and Manhattan Union office.

Sign and share the petition today!

For more information please contact your organizer or call our Member Help Desk at 917-746-4907.

Open Monday- Friday 9:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

 

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

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.