Baggage handlers and other ramp workers at Westchester County Airport voted Sept. 23 to join the Transport Workers Union of America, citing concerns about staff shortages and forced overtime.
Some 75 workers sought the TWU’s help after Avports, which contracts with the county to run operations at the airport, refused to hire more workers, the union said.
“Today’s resounding vote sends a clear message to Avports,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “Workers are fed up with bosses sticking it to them. The TWU will fight to fix staffing shortages and end the abuse of dangerous forced overtime.”
Avports said it’s looking forward to working with the TWU but disputed the union’s claims, saying they “misrepresent the facts.”
“While staffing shortages are a challenge across the entire industry, staffing is a top priority,” said Andrew King, a spokesman for the company. He said Avports invests in recruitment and retention efforts that include pay increases and a college partnership that builds career pathways for employees.
“We deeply appreciate our ramp team,” King said. “We’ve got great people, and we’re proud of them. Westchester Airport runs well because of their professionalism and dedication. We look forward to working with TWU to include them in solving an industry-wide challenge.”
Baggage handlers and other ramp workers at Westchester County Airport celebrate after voting to join the Transport Workers Union of America on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
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The workers typically work four, ten-hour shifts per week and are routinely asked to work a fifth day, the union says. Senior workers with decades on the job are prevented from taking vacation time because of under staffing.
“Management asks for ‘volunteers’ to work extra shifts every week, and if you don’t volunteer, you’re forced to work anyway,” said Angelo Cucuzza, the organizing director for the TWU. “This is unacceptable and we will work to rectify these quality-of-life issues.”
The workers will join TWU Local 504 as they bargain for their first contract.
Ramp workers handle baggage and other duties for the six major carriers at the airport as well as overnight maintenance duties.
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The TWU also represents school bus drivers, Bee-Line bus operators and some Metro-North workers in the county. It’s the largest airport workers union in the country.
Thomas C. Zambito covers energy, transportation and economic growth for the USA Today Network’s New York State team. He’s won dozens of state and national writing awards from the Associated Press, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Deadline Club and others during a decades-long career that’s included stops at the New York Daily News, The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record of Hackensack. He can be reached at tzambito@lohud.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester County Airport workers join Transport Workers Union