Boston, MA— Nearly 100 non-union contracted airplane cleaners and baggage handlers will go on strike to protest unfair labor practices committed by their employers, ReadyJet Inc. and G2 Secure staff. These contractors provide services for JetBlue, US Airways, Delta and other airlines. Both companies are currently under federal investigation for violating workers’ rights.
Worker Intimidation. ReadyJet managers have subjected workers to unfair labor practices including illegal surveillance and threats, and impeding their ability to organize to improve conditions. In some cases, these incidents were related to workers raising concerns about security and health and safety problems they had witnessed.
The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against Ready Jet. OSHA is currently investigating whether ReadyJet illegally terminated workers for exercising their protected rights. In total, ReadyJet has fired nearly one third of its workforce at Logan since January 2014.
The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against G2 for illegal handbook clauses that mislead workers and impede their right to engage in concerted action.
Workers have been playing by the rules. They work hard every day to keep the airport running. Now they are demanding their legal right to a voice on the job.
WHAT: Strike at Boston International Airport
WHO: Airport workers, clergy, labor leaders, elected officials
WHEN: Wednesday, June 17
– 5:00 AM: Picket lines outside the Boston Airport T Stop (Blue Line)
– 7:30 AM: Press Conference at Boston Airport T Stop (Blue Line) need names
– 3:00 PM: Rally at Steps of State House
WHERE: Boston International Airport T Stop (Blue Line)
With 145,000 members in eleven states and Washington, D.C., including 18,000 in MA, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
Background:
ReadyJet, Inc., which provides cabin cleaning services to airlines at Logan including JetBlue, Delta, and US Airways, has an egregious record on health and safety and workers’ rights. ReadyJet has been cited at the state and federal levels for violating workers’ rights, and is under investigation for additional violations. The company continues to punish workers, cutting their hours and intimidating them from exercising their rights. G2 Secure Staff was fined by OSHA for improper storage of hazardous materials and received a final penalty of $2,400.
Wage Theft. In July 2014, the Massachusetts Attorney General ordered ReadyJet to pay employees $13,045 restitution for illegal wage deductions, plus a civil penalty of $5,000. The AG’s office found that money was deducted from 226 workers’ paychecks between July 2012 and May 2014 to pay for TSA badges and uniforms. The Attorney General’s investigation into other forms of wage theft at ReadyJet is still ongoing.
Health and Safety. In June 2014, the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) concluded an investigation into ReadyJet’s operations in Terminals A and C at Logan. Among OSHA’s findings:
- ReadyJet lavatory cleaners were not provided with protective equipment such as gloves and safety goggles to protect themselves from lavatory waste water spills.
- ReadyJet did not clean equipment it loaned to employees.
- Employees did not receive effective training on hazardous chemicals.
OSHA issued 4 initial citations against ReadyJet with a penalty of $29,500. After the company agreed to remedy some violations, 2 citations were removed and the fine was lowered to $2,000.
Hours Cuts. ReadyJet workers fought with workers from across Logan to win an airport wage standard of $10/hour starting in 2015. But 25 full-time ReadyJet workers had their hours cut to part-time after Massport approved the wage.
The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against Ready Jet. OSHA is currently investigating whether ReadyJet illegally terminated workers for exercising their protected rights. In total, ReadyJet has fired over 1/3 of its workforce at Logan since January 2014.
Workers have been playing by the rules. They work hard every day to keep the airport running. Now they are demanding their legal right to a voice on the job.
Logan Airport, New England’s largest transportation center, brings more than $7 billion in economic activity to the area, but many of the workers there do not reap the benefits. To cut costs, airlines like JetBlue outsource passenger service jobs to low-bid contractors. This low-bid system leaves cabin cleaners, wheelchair attendants and baggage handlers who allow the airport to run making as little as $10 an hour, without access to affordable health benefits or sick days.