The Guardia: JFK airport baggage handlers strike despite sacking threat

[Omaha Steve]

‘We should be paid a lot better,’ say workers contracted by Aviation Safeguards to British Airways and United


Baggage handlers and security guards employed by Aviation Safeguards strike in front of British Airways Terminal 7 at the John F Kennedy airport on Thursday 12 February. Photograph: Jana Kasperkevic/The Guardian


http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/13/jfk-airport-security-guards-and-baggage-handlers-strike-despite-sacking-threat

Jana Kasperkevic Thursday 12 February 2015 23.20 EST

Contract workers at New York’s John F Kennedy airport took strike action on Thursday morning despite a recent letter sent by their employer warning of possible consequences including termination.

British Airways and United Airlines passengers arriving at JFK were greeted by a picket line of striking baggage handlers. Some people snapped photos and videos as they passed.

The workers who were on strike are employed by Aviation Safeguards, part of Command Security – a company that provides baggage handlers and security guards to various airlines at New York City’s airports. About 100 of those workers handle baggage for British Airways and United Airlines at JFK.

The reason for Thursday’s strike was the lack of union representation, low wages and a hostile working environment, say the workers. The strike also served to prove a point, as Aviation Safeguards recently sent a letter to its employees informing them of potential consequences, including termination, for striking and speaking out.


An Aviation Safeguards employee shows off his pins supporting the 32BJ SEIU union. Photograph: Jana Kasperkevic/The Guardian


FULL story at link.

[TheMastersNemesis]

1. There Will Be A Day When The Only Jobs Are Contract Jobs.

Contracting is expanding as a way to increase profits. What happens is that wages and benefits are reduced and the savings go to the middle man contractor. Also the contracting employer is relieved if ALL legal obligations when poor work results in liability. You can always blame the contractor for stolen wages, mishaps, accidents and poor customer service.

This is the way of the new service economy that Reagan celebrated in 1981. And it is a way to make working little different thane slavery. It is a "no pea shell game". It is also the best way to eliminate collective bargaining because of high turn over.