Catering Workers To Rally Against United Airlines In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Catering workers employed with United Airlines plan to rally in seven cities, including Newark, to protest “being treated like second class citizens,” according to labor organizers. The rallies are planned for Wednesday, May 23, the same day that United Airlines will hold its annual shareholder meeting in Chicago.

Unite Here, which represents 1,900 concessions and airline catering workers at Newark Airport, is organizing Wednesday’s event in Essex County. Workers plan to rally at Terminal C at Newark Airport from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., and again from 3 to 5 p.m.

According to a statement from Unite Here:

“United Airlines catering workers, who are 90% immigrants and people of color, represent the most diverse department at United Airlines in Newark. They are also United’s only non-managerial frontline workers without a union. Catering workers earn lower wages than other United employees, face harsher work rules and have no protections against unjust firings and suspensions. While United made over $2 billion in profit in 2017, catering workers with decades of experience are living in poverty as the cost of housing in Newark skyrockets.”

Organizers continued:

“United Airlines catering workers are tired of being treated like second class citizens within the company. In January, workers in Newark and across the country decided overwhelmingly to file for a union election. United has attempted to intimidate workers to stop them from organizing. Workers have responded by going public with the truth about the conditions they face in the kitchens of one of the largest employers in Newark.”

A United Airlines spokesperson provided Patch with the following statement about the union members allegations:

"United Airlines respects our employees’ rights to decide whether they want to be represented by a union without pressure, coercion or other misconduct. United Airlines is committed to treating all of our employees fairly, providing them with competitive compensation and industry-leading benefits and privileges and creating a safe, supportive work environment, whether or not they are represented by a union. The National Mediation Board is currently investigating potential fraud and misrepresentation by UNITE HERE in its solicitation of union authorization cards from United Catering employees. We believe the union’s allegations against United Airlines and its management are baseless and we look forward to hearing the results of the National Mediation Board’s investigation."

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In February, dozens of airline catering workers and Unite Here members from Newark, LaGuardia and JFK airports rallied at the Port Authority board meeting at 4 World Trade Center to call on the agency to raise wages at the three airports.

Catering workers at LaGuardia and JFK make $13 an hour. Their peers at Newark Airport earn even less, with some employees netting $9.75 per hour, Unite Here spokespeople said.

"I've worked in airline catering at Newark Airport for 12 years, but I still earn just a little over $12 per hour," said Lea Bagnon, who works for United Airlines Catering Operations and is leading a union organizing campaign at Newark Airport. "We deserve higher wages for the work that we do – just like the rest of the workers at the airport."

• See related article: Airline Catering Workers Demand Better Wages At Newark, JFK, LGA

In 2017, United Airlines reported a full-year net income of $2.1 billion, diluted earnings per share of $7.02, pre-tax earnings of $3.0 billion and pre-tax margin of 7.9 percent.

The company said that it repurchased $553 million of its common shares in the fourth quarter of 2017, bringing the full-year share repurchases to $1.8 billion and completing the company's July 2016 $2 billion share repurchase program. The company's board of directors authorized a new $3 billion share repurchase program in December.

• See related article: United Airlines Announces Record Profit, Workers Protest Low Wages

The catering workers affiliated with Unite Here aren’t the only employees at Newark Airport to embark on a protracted fight for higher wages and better working conditions in recent years.

In March, spokespeople with labor union 32BJ (SEIU) - which represents 14,000 baggage handlers, skycaps, cleaners, security, wheelchair and passenger service workers at Newark, LaGuardia and JFK airports - called a proposed wage hike to $19 an hour a "historic victory."

Port Authority Board Chairman Kevin O'Toole offered support for the proposed wage hike, which took place after years of continued rallies and protests, saying that “people cannot be expected to do their jobs well if they aren't paid well.”

The proposed wage increase for those workers is due for final approval at the Port Authority Board of Commissioners meeting on June 28.

• See related article: New Jersey, New York Airport Workers May Get Raise To $19/Hour
• See related article: Fight For Living Wage Continues At Newark Airport
• See related article: Newark Airport Workers Hope For Better Shake Under Murphy

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File Photo: Airport workers rally at 4 World Trade Center in 2018 (via Unite Here)