Fighting for Good, Union Jobs

Local 100 President John Samuelsen and a large group of Local 100 members joined other New York area TWU Locals at a spirited rally in Manhattan to support our brothers and sisters from TWU Air Transport Local 501.

At issue are a substantial number of Local 501 jobs at the American Airlines Terminal at JFK International Airport. For nearly 65 years, Local 501 members have provided all ground service and baggage handling for any airline using gates at the AA-JFK Terminal. However, beginning May 9, that’s going to change. American is leasing gates to Qatar Airways, which plans to bring in its own workers or contract the work to a third party.

Local 501 President Dave Virella reached out for support from other TWU Locals to drive home the message that an injury to union jobs anywhere is a threat to union work everywhere.

IB ImageMembers of Locals 100, 501 and 505 (American Airlines Ground Service). 562 (American Airlines Maintenance), 101 (National Grid, formerly Brooklyn Union Gas) and 241 (Columbia University) joined the crowd, which denounced corporate greed and pledged a wider campaign to save Local 501 jobs.

The rally took place at Fifth Ave. and 56th Street outside the New York offices of Qatar Airlines.

Local 100 President Samuelsen pledged the Local’s support for all actions to preserve union work.

 

[Photo: Representatives of six locals who came together in this fight.]