Boston, MA—On Wednesday, June 15th at 12:30PM Logan airport workers and supporters will hold a rally to commemorate Justice for Janitors Day—marking that historic day 26 years ago when a when a group of janitors bravely faced baton wielding L.A. police in order to fight for their rights. This fight sparked a movement that has raised standards for hundreds of thousands of janitors across the country including thousands of janitors in Boston.
“Today, the fight for justice continues as workers in Boston and across the country seek a $15 minimum wage so they can live with dignity and feed their families,” said Roxana Rivera, Vice President of 32BJ SEIU.
What: Rally for Good Jobs at Logan
When: Wednesday June 15 at 12:30PM
Where: East Boston Memorial Park, East Boston Memorial Park, 143 Porter St, Boston, Massachusetts 02128 (Adjacent to T airport stop of the Blue line)
Who: Airport workers and supporters.
Background
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 $11 an hour, without access to affordable health benefits.
Around the United States, contracted airport workers are coming together in Airport Workers United, a movement of working people and their allies, raising their voices for $15 and union rights to make our airports safe and secure for passengers, employees and our communities. By sticking together, speaking out for change, and going on strike, these employees have won wage increases in Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, N.J., Minneapolis, Boston, Philadelphia, and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. More than 70,000 airport workers nationwide have either received wage increases or other improvements, including healthcare, paid sick leave and worker retention policies as a result of the campaign
*About 32BJ: With 155,000 members in 11 states–including more than 15,000 in Massachusetts–32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.
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