WORKER
SUPPORT
PAWIS
UPDATE
Peoples’ Association of Workers and Immigrants - January
2007
PAWIS organizes for worker’s
rights at the airport
With
no union contract to guarantee job security, fair shift
scheduling and working conditions, the Peoples’ Association
of Workers and Immigrants (PAWIS) has been an expression
of the need for workers to be organized. With support from
Filipinos for Affirmative Action in Oakland (FAA), PAWIS
has helped not just Filipinos, but all workers previously
with Huntleigh and now DAL Globe. PAWIS formed after hundreds
of former airport screeners lost their jobs to U.S. citizens
and the Transportation Security Administration after the
9/11 tragedy.
More
good news is that PAWIS now has a paid organizer thanks
to a generous grant from the Presbyterian Church USA’s
Committee on the Self-Development of People. FAA applied
for this grant last year in order to develop organizing
and leadership among low-income workers at the airport and
to defend worker rights. PAWIS members were interviewed
by a grant committee who recently announced that PAWIS would
be one of the few national recipients for the grant.
The
goals of PAWIS and objectives of the grant will be to:
* Organize
for improved working conditions at the airport (fair wages,
scheduling and job stability).
* Develop PAWIS membership, worker leadership and stand
for social justice and basic rights in the workplace.
* Assist workers in meeting basic survival needs such as
fair wages and scheduling, health program referrals, legal
advice etc
Long
time airport workers experience drastic schedule cut and
‘undeclared termination’ during the holidays
The
continuing problem of unfair and arbitrary scheduling which
does not consider seniority has hit many DAL Globe workers
hard last holiday season. This problem will most likely
continue if workers do not organize their voices as one
to express our concerns and solutions.
One
employee, who has been working at the airport for four years
with an immaculate record was shocked to see that he was
given only four (yes, only 4 hours) hours on a the holidayschedule.
When he asked why, he was simply told by management that
the schedule “is carved in stone.” On the following
schedule, he was among several others who were no longer
on the schedule. This has been the worst case scenario and
there is no explanation for their “undeclared termination.”
Others are being denied enough hours to survive while newly
hired employees are given 40+ hours.
Long
time workers at Oakland International know that this is
not a new problem. For various reasons, sometimes blatant
favoritism, discrimination of one form or another or retaliation
against those who simply ask for an explanation, many workers
have had their hours cut to virtually nothing. Basically,
many are being forced to leave their jobs. This was the
case with Huntleigh, Argenbright and ITS. PAWIS, together
with community supporters will inform DAL Globe’s
management in Oakland and Atlanta as well as the airlines
supervising the DAL Globe contract that this problem must
be addressed. All workers whose hours have been cut unfairly
should be part of the campaign for job stability and airport
safety. For an update and next meeting regarding this campaign,
please call Kawal immediately at 510-465-9876 x301.
DAL
Globe workers not receiving $11.58 Living Wage
There
are many questions being raised about the salary workers
are receiving. Though all Port of Oakland workers should
be receiving $11.58/hr under the Living Wage ordinance passed
in 2000, it is clear that employers have found ways to make
deductions that cut the living wage while giving nothing
in return for those deductions. The most glaring example
is the $1.51 deduction for a supposed health care benefit
under Cigna. There is much confusion about the deduction
as well as a ridiculously unaffordable monthly premium.
A major question is, “Why should I lose $1.51 an hour
if I didn’t sign up for the medical insurance and
am getting nothing in return?”
PAWIS
is conducting research for answers and to determine if the
deductions are legal. PAWIS also plans to have a meeting
of all interested DAL Globe workers and possibly other airport
workers who are also not receiving the Living Wage salary.
Make sure to contact PAWIS to learn more about these deductions
and if we can do anything to claim loss wages of $1.51 per
many hours worked at the airport!
Medical
Benefits major concern for workers & families
PAWIS
members submitted a signed petition to DAL Globe’s
Rikk Beemer demanding the Living Wage pay of $11.58/hr with
no deductions. PAWIS believes that medical coverage is a
top major concern of all workers and their families but
needs to make sense and be affordable. Along with receiving
the Living Wage, PAWIS believes that Medical Insurance should
still be provided to help meet and supplement the rising
costs of health care for ourselves and family members. For
a long time, airport security contracting companies have
been telling workers that health benefits will be provided.
Workers then discover that the insurance is impossible to
afford. Many go without medicine and needed check-ups just
to stay on the schedule. This works against a healthy workforce
and only adds stress and anxiety to our already difficult
circumstances. Contact PAWIS immediately to learn more about
the petition and to add your signature too those demanding
affordable health care as part of their employment.
T2:
Aviation Safeguards blocking worker rights through collective
bargaining and union contract
Many
of you may have seen the inspirational picket and protest
in November demanding that Aviation Safeguards remain neutral
during a card check union campaign. The signing of cards
will determine if the majority of DAL Globe workers want
union representation and collective bargaining towards a
union contract with DAL Globe management. Many DAL Globe
workers are also PAWIS leaders who know that Terminals 1
and 2 face many similar problems which need mutual support
if workers want to gain more power to ensure our basic rights
are upheld. PAWIS extends our solidarity to DAL Globe workers
in Terminal 2 working for Southwest airlines and join in
their demand for card check neutrality and no retaliation
towards workers demanding job stability, fair scheduling,
healthcare and stools for ticket readers during slow traffic
hours and a union contract to guarantee these basic worker
needs!
How
to get more information on all these issues
PAWIS
members meet weekly on our own time, outside of work, to
discuss answers and solutions to many questions and issues
we face at Oakland International. Overall, we call for collective
action led by the workers to stand up for our basic worker
rights under state and federal labor laws. For updates and
meeting times, please call PAWIS organizer Kawal Ulanday
at (510) 465-9876 ext 301. If he is not in the office, LEAVE
A MESSAGE with your phone number and best time to call and
you will be contacted promptly.
