At the monthly meeting of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, SEIU, airport workers and Daily Kos (represented by susans and Joshua Bloxom) presented them with a 48,000 signature petition demanding safer working conditions. Also present were representatives of CLUE, Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice, who submitted a letter of support to the board.
Because of their negligence, Airport contractor Menzies Aviation, an international corporation based in Scotland, has been responsible for four airport worker deaths at two California airports in eight years. AFAICT, they have been fined over $100,000, have been cited for multiple violations by Cal/OSHA, yet they continue to operate at multiple airports, which is clearly unacceptable.
The Commissioners are being asked not to renew Menzies' license to operate at LAX and to make sure that whomever replaces them will abide by strict safety rules.
There were between 50 and 75 supporters of airport safety at the meeting, several of whom spoke to the board in English and Spanish. Although there was a time limit for speaking and all speakers exceeded that limit, the commissioners did not not admonish them or ask them to stop before they were done.
One of the speakers was Autumn Burke, Democratic candidate for California State Assembly, 62nd District http://burkeforassembly.com/. The airport is in that district. Ms. Burke urged the Board to hire contractors who maintain the highest safety standards.
Joshua notes that the board wasn't paying much attention until Burke spoke and emphasizes that a couple of the workers reminded them that the workers/union had brought this issue to the board's attention in a previous meeting[s] without them taking any action or even agreeing to take action. One or more speakers also asked that when the board replaces Menzies, that the current workers retain their jobs with the new contractor[s].
The SEIU organizers led a short rally outside of the building at One World Way after the meeting. SEIU represents people who do a lot of different jobs at LAX: they work in the terminals as wheelchair pushers, door openers, janitors, various other positions and on the ramp (outside). Some of them spoke at the rally, again in English and Spanish. They asked me to speak, something I was totally unprepared for. I briefly told them about DK and that I would be writing about the event and posting it online.
A special thank you to Josh, who took multiple trains up from Orange County to support airport workers and represent Daily Kos. It was great talking to you and I look forward to another opportunity to spend some time together.