The following statement is attributable to Gabe Morgan, Vice President of 32BJ SEIU for Pennsylvania and Delaware:

“32BJ SEIU contracted cabin cleaners, skycaps, wheelchair attendants and line queue workers, more than 600 workers, received layoff notices today. They are the contracted cabin cleaners, skycaps, wheelchair attendants and line queue workers are on the frontlines of the day-to-day airport operations at the Philadelphia International Airport. They care for our elderly and disabled loved ones, they move our baggage, they clean planes from national and international destinations, and they interact with hundreds of thousands of passengers from around the world. They are the most at risk in the face of this global pandemic, and they are the least who can afford to lose wages and benefits during this time of crisis.

“This week, airlines asked the government to give them a $50 billion bailout in the form of loans, grants and tax relief. The contracted airport workers are given nothing. They earn the least and live in the city’s most impoverished neighborhoods. Many lack healthcare to even care for themselves in the face of this pandemic.

“While the President signed legislation granting paid sick leave to workers, this law doesn’t apply to the contracted airport workers because many are employed by companies with 500 or more employees.

“During this global pandemic, these workers have stepped forward to do their jobs. We are demanding the airlines and Congress not forget the most vulnerable workers when they receive their bailout.”

With more than 175,000 members in 11 states, including over 22,000 in Pennsylvania and Delaware, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.