Our week began with a press conference with allies and the NFL Players Association. Read about it here: https://onejob.org/the-fast-for-our-families-begins/
On Wednesday fasters Sonia Toledo from Local 355 and Rafael Ortega from Local 100 spoke on the radio about their fight.
Fasters Sonia Toledo and Rafael Ortega spoke on their decision to #FastForOurFamilies with @RaquelRegalado & @Tomas_Regalado. They advocated for all airline catering workers who are fighting for healthcare and a living wage during #SuperBowlLIV pic.twitter.com/kC9r0fkmui
— Unite Here Local 355 (@UNITEHERE_SoFla) January 29, 2020
We rallied in front of the American Airlines South Florida Office, making sure American heard our chants of “One Job Should Be Enough!” and “Bad insurance, lousy pay, this is how your food is made!”
A group of our members are on a 6-day fast outside #MIA. Their families can’t keep waiting for @AmericanAir to use their power to transform poverty wages & inaccessible healthcare in airline catering. Click now to support #FastForOurFamilies: https://t.co/tkaYvZYT7b pic.twitter.com/VuoXHj9qr3
— Unite Here Local 355 (@UNITEHERE_SoFla) January 29, 2020
Thursday was a big day. Fasters went to the Miami-Dade Living Wage Commission to testify on the poverty wages at LSG Sky Chefs and Gate Gourmet, and how the airlines need to solve these issues with urgency.
Airline Catering fasters who prepare food and bev. for @AmericanAir attended the Miami-Dade Living Wage Commission meeting to address their need for a living wage on day 4 of #FastForOurFamilies pic.twitter.com/aSQdnxj3fo
— Unite Here Local 355 (@UNITEHERE_SoFla) January 30, 2020
We rallied at American Airlines Arena, bringing our campaign to travelers in town for Super Bowl festivities.
Tonight we’re in front of American Airlines arena to protest poverty wages and unaffordable healthcare. Airline catering workers and their allies are #FastingForOurFamilies this #SuperBowl season. pic.twitter.com/cJtlY5rBiN
— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) January 30, 2020
On Friday Pastor Stephanie Russell gave fasters a blessing. Throughout the week many clergy leaders, elected officials, community groups, and our union family showed up to the fast to give their support.
On Day 5 of the #FastForOurFamilies Pastor Stephanie Russell lead a blessing for fasters. Solidarity from clergy, community, labor leaders, and elected officials keeps us strong. ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 #1u #1job pic.twitter.com/5hNKzBjCTL
— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) January 31, 2020
On Saturday, fasters shared their reflections on the experience and then broke bread together to end the fast.
Day 6 of the #FastForOurFamilies, the Miami fasters break bread together, reflecting on their dedication and sacrifice. Drinking only water since Monday, they end the historic fast and continue to demand higher wages and affordable healthcare. #1job #1u pic.twitter.com/L44dOmSCsI
— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) February 1, 2020
Our allies were hard at work last week, as the fast was happening.
Local 355 workers at Marlins Park wore buttons in solidarity with the fasters while they served fans during Super Bowl week festivities.
Attending #SuperBowl opening night festivities at Marlins Park? Make sure to say hello to your catering and food service stadium workers who are buttoned up in solidarity with the airline catering workers participating in this week's #FastForOurFamilies actions at MIA airport. pic.twitter.com/U8MqsEAl70
— Diana Hussein 🇱🇧 (@heyadiana) January 28, 2020
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders made a statement of support
I stand with @UNITEHERE_SoFla and call on @AmericanAir to give these workers the compensation and benefits that they deserve. https://t.co/xKCtb9TTlO
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 29, 2020
So did Elizabeth Warren.
These airline catering employees work hard every day to bring food to travelers—they should be paid enough to feed their own families. I stand with them in their fight for fair wages and good benefits. https://t.co/RDF8VHDzLi
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 30, 2020
Former Vice President Joe Biden called the fasters in Miami to give support, listen here:
“You’re the one’s who are going to be feeding thousands of people traveling to and from the Super Bowl. You should be able to feed your own families” Former Vice President @JoeBiden #FastForOurFamilies pic.twitter.com/hUodlr2VxX
— Unite Here Local 355 (@UNITEHERE_SoFla) February 1, 2020
In Miami, leaders from Local 1 in Chicago helped get hundreds of passengers to sign cards in support of the fast.
UNITE HERE’s Executive Leadership sent a message to Miami Fasters.
The Bargaining Committee also gave a message while they were in Las Vegas. “Together, we will win!”
Local 5 in Honolulu gave their support.
What’s next? After a big 2019, we’re having a National Day of Protests on February 14, right in time for the busy President’s Day and Valentine’s Day travel.
