More Than 1,000 Workers At JFK, LaGuardia Set To Strike Wednesday
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Over 1,000 subcontracted airport security officers, baggage handlers and wheelchair attendants at New York City's two major airports plan to strike starting Wednesday night.
Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ says picketing will begin at Delta terminals at John F. Kennedy Airport at 10 p.m. Wednesday and at LaGuardia Airport at 6 a.m. Thursday.
"This is not about the money, this is about the respect," said one employee.
The employees work for Delta subcontractor Aviation Safeguards. Its parent company, Herndon, Virginia-based Command Services Corp., hasn't immediately returned a call about the strike vote.
Union president Hector Figueroa told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell the workers will strike if they don't receive $15 an hour.
"They've been living in poverty," he said. "They're not being listened to. And this has to end."
Donna Hampton has worked security at JFK for nine years and makes $10.10 an hour.
"I have a daughter, who's 21 years old. She works, and she helps pay the bills," said Hampton. "That's unacceptable."
The union says demands for better treatment "have been met with illegal repression." It says Aviation Safeguards has threatened to fire workers for striking and otherwise violated organizing rights.
Aviation Safeguards has not returned a call from WCBS 880 seeking comment.
It's not immediately clear how the planned strike would affect travelers.
In a statement made by the Port Authority, it says it has "taken significant steps in recent years to encourage wage and benefit increases for employees of airline contractors at its airports, and will work to avoid disruptions of airline operations at PA airports."
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