Airports belong to all of us. They are part of our cities and communities. They are built and maintained with public resources to help us connect with each other. That’s why it’s unacceptable that airports aren’t working the way they should or could. Flights are frequently canceled and air travel feels less stable and reliable for passengers. Many frontline airport service workers -who are largely Black, brown and immigrants- lack adequate healthcare or paid sick days, and struggle on wages in some cities as low as $8 an hour. It shouldn’t be that way. Better airports are possible, but airlines can and must do better.
When airport service workers -like wheelchair agents, cabin cleaners, baggage handlers and security officers- are respected, provided family-sustaining wages, benefits and a voice on the job, airports are better for both passengers and communities alike.
The undersigned airline CEO pledges the following for all workers who support air travel and transportation in the airline’s system:
- Take responsibility for the largely Black, brown and immigrant service workforce and acknowledge the airline has the ability and responsibility to end poverty level jobs and inequity throughout its system.
- Ensure the billions of public dollars airlines receive annually serve the public good –and not just shareholders and executives– by setting a minimum wage and benefit standard, where all workers have family sustaining wages, affordable quality healthcare and paid time off to spend with family and heal from illness.
- Respect workers’ rights to form a union
- Encourage contractors to be neutral when workers organize a union and stop using contractors that violate labor laws.
- Ensure contracts with airport service providers are able to meet the above wage and benefits standards and the airline will prioritize good service over lowest price.
We make this pledge in order to make all airports, good airports, where working people can thrive, not just survive. Where everyone –Black, brown, AAPI, and white– are treated equitably and with respect. Where everyone can have a voice on the job. And together, we can ensure a smooth recovery in air travel as we come out of the pandemic.