Thousands of Underpaid Passenger Service Workers, Security Officers, and Janitors at O’Hare Airport to Join the Fight for $15 Movement
CHICAGO- Despite O’Hare Airport being the third busiest airport in the U.S., and a hub for both United and American Airlines, security officers, janitors, and passenger service workers, whose hard work make the airlines and the airport profitable, are paid poverty wages. In some cases workers are being paid below the minimum wage, forcing them to rely on taxpayer-funded public assistance.
Workers at major origin and destination airports including Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale, and Washington, DC have been coming together in the fight for 15 movement to demand a minimum of $15 hourly wage and union rights. Following the lead of millions of underpaid workers around the country, thousands of O’Hare Airport workers are joining the larger Fight for $15 movement to raise standards for all workers.
Passenger service employees and security officers at O’Hare Airport are responsible for passenger safety, airport security, and customer satisfaction throughout the passenger’s entire travel experience at the airport; including helping to ensure a safe flight.
All service workers at O’Hare suffer, but tipped employees take the largest hit. This is due in part to the tipped minimum wage, which is much lower than the standard minimum wage ($5.45 vs. $10 in Chicago as of July 2015). If a tipped worker’s tips do not bring his or her hourly pay up to the level of the standard minimum wage, the employer is required to make up the difference. However, at O’ Hare tips are not always accurately reported, resulting in workers being paid less than minimum wage.
That’s why workers are coming together with supporters from labor, community and faith groups to join the Fight for $15 movement, make a living wage, and secure rights to form a union.
WHAT: Hundreds of O’Hare Passenger Service Workers Joined by Community and Faith Allies to Join Fight for $15 movement
WHEN: Tuesday, September 29th, 11 a.m.
WHERE: O’Hare Airport, Between Terminal 2 & 3
VISUALS: Hundreds of Airport Workers and Supporters Waving Banners, Flags, and Signs
Background: Fight for 15 began in 2012 with New York fast food workers. It has since raised wages for over 11 million workers and has grown to more than 200 cities and 35 countries on 6 continents. Home care workers, child care workers, Walmart associates, adjunct professors and airport workers are now part of the movement.
These workers are sticking together and they are winning – even as industries pretend to ignore them. These hardworking men and women are paid so little that they can’t afford the basics. But thanks to their determination and their shared purpose in the Fight for 15 movement, many of these workers are seeing significant raises and other workplace improvements for the first time. The rest can’t wait for higher wages, which will raise standards in our communities and the nation.
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Airport workers across the country are coming together in Airport Workers United, a movement of workers and their allies, raising their voices for $15 and union rights to make our airports safe and secure for passengers, employees and our communities. Together, they have won a union voice for 15,000 airport workers and have already secured wage increases and other job improvements for more than 45,000 airport workers nationwide.
