Boston, MA –Logan International Airport workers rallied on Friday to demand that Logan airport contractors step up its health and safety protocols. The workers filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health and Administration (OSHA) citingon-the-job injuries and accidents unreported by ReadyJet Inc., one of the largest aviation service contractors at Logan Airport.
“ReadyJet has one of the most egregious records at Logan, said Roxana Rivera, Director of 32BJ SEIU District 615. “No company should be allowed to cut corners on the backs of men and women who perform essential jobs.”
The workers have previously filed OSHA complaints against ReadyJet, a JetBlue contractor, and other contractors for a range of issues including rats and roaches in the warehouse where passenger food is stored, lack of cleaning chemicals for airplane cabin cleaning, being asked to enter the plane with supplies after emptying the lavatory without changing or washing up, and a faulty van used for transporting workers. These charges are still pending.
Over the past 3 years, OSHA has cited 8 aviation service contractors for unsafe working conditions at Logan. ReadyJet was cited by OSHA in in 2014 for 2 health and safety violations at Logan Airport and issued a fine of $2,000. In 2012, OSHA cited ReadyJet for 5 health and safety violations at Orlando International Airport and fined the company $5,400.
On July 23, the office of Massachusetts’ Attorney General ordered ReadyJet to pay employees $13,045 restitution plus a civil penalty of $5,000. The investigation, involving more than 30 workers at ReadyJet continues. Alleged violations include unpaid overtime, straight time, training hours, vacations and a failure to provide breaks to workers during 10-hour shifts.
Last month and flanked by gubernatorial candidates, Martha Coakley and Steven Grossman and a string of elected officials and community allies, service workers at Logan Airport kick-off a campaign to demand better treatment and a union contract.
*For background information or copies of the complaints, contact: evillasante@seiu32bj.org Cell: 646-285-1087
With more than 150,000 members in 11 states, including 18,000 in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, SEIU 32BJ is the largest property services union in the country.
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