A new report released yesterday by UNITE HERE Local 23 shows that at D.C.’s two government-owned airports, the government makes more money per hour from terminal concessions workers than the workers do themselves. The average wage for the workers is just $9.74 an hour, while the airport authority makes $17.17 an hour at DCA and $20.20 at Dulles. And while revenue from airport concessions is growing, wages and working conditions are stagnant. The union also notes that sixty percent of the retail and food workers at the D.C. airports are Ethiopians, making the D.C. airports one of the biggest employers of Ethiopians in the country. “DC airport food workers have been left behind,” says Local 23. “But not for long,” they vow. “Workers at DCA and Dulles are standing up for their rights.” photo: Unite Here 23 Facebook page The union representing Transportation Security Officers at the nation’s airports is amplifying its call for 6,000 additional full-time screeners to alleviate long airport security lines. The American Federation of Government Employees took out a full-page ad in The Hill newspaper Tuesday urging Congress to pass emergency legislation funding the additional screeners, which it says are needed to counter years of staffing cuts and address growing passenger volumes. “It’s time for Congress to stop the waiting games and give TSA the resources it needs to meet growing demands at our nation’s airports,” AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. said. Read more here. SMART Local 100 has just contributed $10,000 to CSA’s Emergency Assistance Fund, earmarked for CWA strikers at Verizon. “This support is very timely,” said CSA Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. “With the strike now into its second month, we have helped 45 strikers to date with over $13,000 in payments for utilities, medical bills, car notes, food and other emergency needs. It’s our job to help them stay out one day longer so they can win a great contract.” McKirchy also thanked members of the Newspaper Guild 35/CWA at the National Association of Social Workers whose members ran a second food drive. You can help by clicking here for a secure on-line donation option or make a check payable to Community Services Agency and earmark for CWA strikers in the memo line; send to 888 16th Street NW, Suite 520, DC 20006. All contributions tax-deductible. Or you can donate directly to CWA. photo: Evelyn Tomaszewski with food collected by TNG 35/CWA at NASW; photo by Kathleen McKirchy “You and YouTube: Creating Your Own Video” and “If I Can’t Dance: Movement for Change” are just two of the highlights of the 2016 Great Labor Arts Exchange, a weekend of workshops, films, discussion groups, spoken word, jam sessions and open mike coming up June 23-26. Organized by the Labor Heritage Foundation, the GLAE will be held at the ATU Tommy Douglas Conference Center in Silver Spring. Click here for details and to register. |