Nearly 3 Dozen Catering Workers Arrested During Protest At JFK Airport
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A protest at John F. Kennedy Airport ended with nearly three dozen arrests Friday.
Catering workers serving American Airlines rallied for better health care as part of a national day of action.
They were seen lying on the ground and chanting "one job," claiming workers are stuck in poverty and need higher pay.
The catering company they work for is in contract talks with their union.
"We have corporations making millions of dollars in profits, and we have workers without the health care we deserve," one protester said.
"Keep fighting. We will stand by you and we will all win together," Mayor Bill de Blasio said at the protest.
The union that represents these workers tells CBS2 that 34 people were arrested, and Port Authority Police say 34 summonses were issued.
American Airlines released the following statement:
"We are confident that federal mediators will help the catering companies LSG Sky Chefs and Gate Gourmet negotiate new nationwide agreements with Unite Here that include higher pay and better benefits. We understand this will result in increased costs over time for their many airline customers, including American. We are not in a position to control the outcome of their negotiations or dictate what wages or benefits are agreed upon between the catering companies and their employees."
Airline workers across the country are participating in similar protests.