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BY REAGAN PRIEST/CRONKITE NEWS
KTAR.com
PHOENIX – Two groups of airport workers are speaking out about what they say are dangerous working conditions and low wages at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Concession workers contracted by SSP America voted on Sept. 1 to authorize a strike after negotiations between the union, UNITE HERE Local 11, and the employer broke down. As of Wednesday, there were no plans for the workers to walk out.
Service workers contracted by Prospect Airport Services filed a complaint with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health on Sept. 6 alleging violations of federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. Service workers include employees who handle bags, clean airplane cabins, assist passengers in wheelchairs and more.
Both groups say workers are subjected to extreme heat or unclean work areas, in addition to being underpaid and denied benefits. Patricia Ray, a bartender at Sky Harbor, spoke at a Phoenix City Council meeting about her experience.
“I love my job and I love welcoming visitors to our beloved state, but working at SSP has made it difficult for me to afford my bills,” Ray told council members on Sept. 6. Additionally, Ray said she only makes about $400 every two weeks after taxes.
According to an unreleased study from Worker Power Institute and Grand Canyon Institute, 60% of airport employees who work at least 30 hours per week make under $800 per week.
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