(Fort Lauderdale) – The following statement is attributable to Helene O’ Brien, 32BJ SEIU Florida Director.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the men and women who were killed at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport shooting today. We are currently accounting for the safety of the hundreds of 32BJ SEIU members who clean the airport and the thousands more contracted airport workers who have been active in the campaign for better conditions at FLL.

“In the chaos of the shooting, we’re already seeing news images of airport workers going above and beyond the call of duty as they help guide passengers to safety. Airport workers are on the front lines every day. These hardworking men and women deserve a living wage, benefits and high quality training, just as passengers need a stable, experienced workforce to make our airports as safe and secure as possible.

We will continue to fight for a better airport and pray for an end to the violence that claimed the lives of these individuals.”

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With 155,000 members in eleven states and Washington, D.C., 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.