On February 14, we elevated our call to American, Delta, and United Airlines. We demonstrated, leafletted, fasted, did civil disobedience, rallied, and made sure that our voices were heard.
Our message was loud and clear: one job should be enough for airline catering workers to earn a decent living.
Local 11 in Los Angeles did a 3-day fast that lead up to the 14th. 10 workers sacrificed to call attention to the medical crisis in the airline catering industry.
Workers launched their 3-Day fast today! Although airline catering workers help make the airlines profitable, they still cannot afford to make ends meet and some have had to delay medical care or go to another country for treatment.#FastForOurFamilies #RaiseLAX pic.twitter.com/mEOBETF7QU
— UNITE HERE Local 11 (@UNITEHERE11) February 12, 2020
Hear from Amparo Ramirez, who works in the Cold Food department, on why she fasted.
Fast For Our Families- Amparo Ramirez
Fast For Our Families Day 1! #RaiseLAXSee why Amparo Ramirez is fasting along with her coworkers from airline catering at LAX and hotel workers today through friday. Vea porque Amparo Ramirez esta ayunando junto con su compañeros de aeropuerto en LAX y trabajadores de hotel. #FastForOurFamilies
Posted by UNITE HERE Local 11 on Wednesday, February 12, 2020
While their union family in Los Angeles fasted, Local 11 in Phoenix went to American Airlines headquarters to share their own stories of struggle related to the healthcare crisis many airline catering workers face.
The lack of affordable healthcare for airline catering workers means we choose between our health & feeding our families. Today, we are delivering our message to @AmericanAir Phoenix headquarters because #1Job should be enough #PHX pic.twitter.com/xa4kwdCRmp
— UNITE HERE Arizona (@UNITEHERE11AZ) February 14, 2020
Local 23 in Dallas had a 24 hour fast at DFW Airport. Workers in the Dallas kitchen sent love and shared prayers with fasters, commending them on their sacrifice.
One job should be enough! pic.twitter.com/bbPRapnAhO
— Kristian Steffany 🌹 (@kksteffany) February 14, 2020
A little farther south, Houston Local 23 also fasted. Workers rallied at United Airlines Headquarters, and then blocked traffic near DFW Airport the next day.
Posted by Unite Here Local 23 on Sunday, February 16, 2020
In Charlotte, LSG Sky Chef workers did their first ever civil rights style civil disobedience in front of American Airlines’ ticket counters at CLT Airport. Civil disobedience participants chanted “One Job Should Be Enough!” as they sat down, and were escorted out one by one.
After the protest at the CLT entrance, there was a civil disobedience inside the airport terminal with a group risking arrest pic.twitter.com/C2h7JZPQ6g
— Damiana 🌹 (@Dbdendy) February 15, 2020
In Detroit, airline catering workers also had their first ever civil disobedience to demand better wages and healthcare. Inspired by our protest, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib joined the civil disobedience at the last minute to demonstrate her commitment to our fight.
We won't stop until we get #fairwages & #healthcare. These courageous people got arrested tonight at DTW b/c they believe workers deserve human dignity. Shame on you @Delta for leaving workers behind and letting them live in poverty. @unitehere https://t.co/njM6UQbjPu pic.twitter.com/msDm2XlowY
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) February 14, 2020
In Minneapolis, AFA-CWA’s President, Sara Nelson, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Jane Sanders all rallied alongside MSP Airport LSG Sky Chefs workers. There was chanting, and even a little bit of flute playing.
Solidarity from our union sister @FlyingWithSara at MSP! #1job should be enough for ALL airline industry workers. #DeltaAFA pic.twitter.com/yP4aWGcjgj
— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) February 14, 2020
As a former member, I know the power of unions. When we organize, we win! 💪🏽✊🏽 https://t.co/jER5BGSPQ5
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 14, 2020
In Philly, many community supporters rallied alongside PHL Airport LSG Sky Chefs workers. They had two die-ins and a civil disobedience. Healthcare is a human right!
🗣️Whose streets?🗣️OUR streets! Airline catering workers put their bodies on the line at Philadelphia International…
Posted by Unite Here Philadelphia on Friday, February 14, 2020
In Seattle, Local 8 workers and allies brought vitality to their action and civil disobedience.
Y’all @UniteHereLocal8 is lit 🔥 pic.twitter.com/djsKRFrMid
— Kaylah Paige ✊🏾🏳️🌈🌹 (@KaylahSF) February 15, 2020
Local 2 in San Francisco held an impressive die-in SFO airport, with a civil disobedience outside of the airport.
BREAKING: Airline catering workers and supporters are holding a symbolic “die-in” in the @AmericanAir terminal at SFO.
American makes billions, but only 10% of us have company insurance with family coverage – and premiums are up to $800 a month.
#1job pic.twitter.com/CQoCiz6cSS— UNITE HERE Local 2 (@UniteHereLocal2) February 15, 2020
I was at San Francisco airport on 14th February to support the airline catering staff to get better wages and medical benefits.. I participated in a civil disobedience action and got arrested.. I am proud to be part of it as a local -2 leader … pic.twitter.com/fEbcN0Zhy0
— Lasantha Ranasinha (@Lasa08021970) February 15, 2020
In Honolulu, Local 5 rallied against the “unfairlines”!
Narlyn Isikar, a worker at United Airlines Kitchen at HNL, received a two-month suspension without pay in November 2019. On top of the suspension, United revoked her flight benefits. 👎🏽 pic.twitter.com/P1Mb9z9Vgw
— Unite Here! Local 5 #1job (@uniteherehawaii) February 15, 2020
Local 100 in New York and New Jersey were joined by Mayor Bill de Blasio at JFK Airport.
Unions built this city and make it run every single day. Join us for the @UNITEHERE health care rally at JFK airport. https://t.co/umiG54J2vH
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) February 14, 2020
Workers and allies linked arms in front of doors leading into the terminal.
and then did civil disobedience inside.
Local 30 in San Diego, Local 49 in Sacramento, Local 878 in Alaska, and Local 355 in Miami handed out leaflets to passengers, to inform them about our fight and the actions happening nationally.
For more updates, talk to your organizer or committee leader on upcoming actions and events.