After years of protests about working conditions and low wages, nonunion Philadelphia airport workers vote to join a union

Baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants, sky caps, and other passenger service workers employed by airline contractors at Philadelphia International Airport have voted overwhelmingly to join Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ.

The vote, which was held Tuesday night, was 406-58 in favor of joining the nation's largest property-service workers union.

It took four years and numerous protests for the SEIU and the workers, who currently number 1,400 and work for subcontractors hired by various airlines, to get the secret-ballot National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election.

The SEIU plans to begin collective bargaining with airline contractors PrimeFlight and Prospect to get a contract for the workers, SEIU spokeswoman Julie Blust said Wednesday.

Mayor Kenney, who has supported the airport workers cause, called the victory "a proud moment for our city.

"This is the city's airport, and today the men and women who work hard everyday to keep it running are one step closer to having the good jobs they deserve," Kenney said. "I commend these brave airport workers for sticking with their fight no matter how hard it got."

Kenney is to join the workers, other elected officials, and clergy at a celebratory rally at 3:30 p.m. Thursday outside the airport Terminals B and C.

Gabe Morgan, vice president of SEIU 32BJ, said, "In a city where poverty is deep and widespread, they voted to turn more than 1,000 poverty jobs into good jobs.

"Everyone talks about how to create good jobs," Morgan said. "These brave men and women at the airport just went out and did it. Our local economy and communities will be stronger because of the actions of these airport workers."

Beginning July 1, 2015, the workers won an agreement with the city to be paid $12 an hour, in keeping with a "living wage" standard approved by Philadelphia voters in May 2014. Before that, they earned as little as $7.75 an hour plus tips.

Since then, the workers have demanded $15 an hour, and threatened to strike ahead of the Democratic National Convention last July to protest unfair labor practices and low wages.

Most PHL workers including maintenance, janitors, and employees who work directly for airlines belong to labor unions.

Source: Philly.com