A statement from Kyle Bragg, President of 32BJ SEIU, the airport workers’ union, in response to news reports that the de Blasio administration is suing American Airlines, charging sick day retaliation.

“We are heartened by the actions of Mayor de Blasio’s administration, to sue American Airlines for the egregious violation of New York City’s paid sick and safe leave policy, and we look forward to seeing similar action in support of the airline’s subcontracted workers from contractor Eulen America, which knows first hand how systemic this problem is. In fact, the company filed complaints earlier this year alleging violations of the same law with the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. We urge Mayor de Blasio’s administration, as they pursue this action, to just as diligently protect Eulen America employees not covered by the lawsuit. As American Airlines works to fix this egregious problem, they should also hire responsible contractors who can reliably follow the law. ”

— With 175,00 members in 11 states, 32BJ is the largest property service union in the country—

New York City Council Member Donovan Richards issued the following statement:

“It is important, as the de Blasio administration pursues this action, that they continue looking into systemic violations by American Airlines’ subcontractors, like Eulen America, who have violated NYC’s paid sick leave law, “ Council Member Donovan Richards said. “Paid sick leave is critical to hard-working New Yorkers and I am well aware that JFK employees of Eulen America have filed serious allegations of violations of the same law. The city should continue to investigate the problem system wide.”