Airline Worker Injuries on Rise

Airline Worker Injuries on Rise

Airline Worker Injuries on Rise

IAM141.org

As heatwaves plague the country, few places are hotter than Phoenix. Workers and city officials gathered at Phoenix Sky Harbor on Wednesday to share heat-related health and safety concerns. 

Sky Harbor Local Lodge 2559, which represents several hundred Machinists Union members, helped lead the event. 

Backed by Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Anasari, airport, and airline workers announced that they had filed a formal OSHA complaint against aviation support services provider Prospect Airport Services for allegedly not ensuring basic worker protections amid Phoenix’s record-high temperatures.

In 2023, Phoenix saw an astounding 31 consecutive days, with temperatures soaring at or over 110 degrees. The record-breaking streak was only one record that was shattered this year. In July, temperatures rose to 119 degrees, according to the National Weather Service, the highest temperature in the city’s history.  

The previous record was set back in 1989.

Workers met outside Terminal 4, holding signs and photos depicting Arizona’s extreme heat. One man had an image of a temperature gauge reading 113 degrees. One cabin cleaner said she was recently hospitalized because of the intense heat. “Over the course of the last few months, I’ve experienced nearly every symptom of heat illness,” she told local news outlet AZ Family. “I’ve suffered from extreme fatigue, weakness, headaches, vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of coordination, and nausea,” she said. “Our uniforms only make the heat worse. We often aren’t given access to water to drink on the airplanes while we’re cleaning the cabins. Sometimes I resort to drinking water left over by passengers.”

According to AZ Family, officials said the OSHA complaint aimed to “hold major airlines and their contractors accountable” for workers’ health and safety amid extreme heat. 

Phoenix airport workers also demanded Congress pass the “Good Jobs for Good Airports Act” to improve pay and benefits. Employees earned just $13-$14 per hour, some told AZ Family. “Our wages and benefits are a slap in the face after coming into the airport day in and day out to make it possible for these airlines to function,” said Cecilia Ortiz, a lead wheelchair assistant. “We cannot continue to live like this. We cannot continue to be paid poverty wages without quality employer-paid health care and other benefits like paid time off.”

The “Good Jobs for good Airports Act” would increase labor standards for service workers at airports that get federal funding and would apply to the vast majority of all unified workers in the nation. The proposed legislation has the backing of 43 co-sponsors.

According to Senator Ed Markey, the lead sponsor of the bill, the legislation would “provide airport workers with the pay, benefits, and labor standards they deserve after serving on the frontlines of our nation’s aviation system and keeping airports safe through a global pandemic, climate disasters, and peak travel seasons.” 

“In the face of ongoing health risks, airport service workers – including cleaners, wheelchair agents, baggage handlers, concessionaires, and security personnel – continue to play an essential role in keeping Americans moving. This legislation would improve job quality for hundreds of thousands of airport service workers – a largely Black, Brown, and immigrant workforce – by setting minimum wage and benefits levels at all major airports that receive federal funding.”

According to OSHA figures released this week, the number of on-the-job injuries at airports declined in 2020 when travel dropped due to the pandemic. However, as flights resumed, injuries rapidly rebounded and are now higher than before the pandemic. On September 1, a tragic accident occurred at Boston Logan Airport when a forklift operator was pinned by a metal beam and killed while servicing a JetBlue flight, highlighting the dangers airport workers continue to face. The agent’s name was not released, but he worked for a JetBlue contractor.

In that incident, authorities reported the 51-year-old forklift operator from Winthrop was working in an outdoor loading area at Terminal C when attempting to drive the lift through a bag service entrance. Tragically, the forklift’s backrest extension was raised at the time, according to Massachusetts State Police. 

This safety attachment is designed to protect drivers, but in this case, it led to the operator being fatally pinned against the entrance. The safety extension hit a metal beam intended to prevent vehicles from entering the tunnel if they are too large to drive through safely. But the extension, designed to prevent loads from tipping over and falling onto the forklift operator, caused the forklift to tip, crushing the driver. He died at Logan Hospital later that day. 

JetBlue refused to issue a statement immediately following the accident, but the airline’s ‘Code of Conduct’ reads, “Safety always comes first.” 

Another OSHA report, released in June, revealed that a failure to follow required safety procedures contributed to the tragic death of Piedmont Airlines customer service agent Courtney Edwards. According to the report, the American Airlines subsidiary did not ensure their ground crew adhered to protocols, resulting in Edwards being pulled into the spinning turbines of a jet engine, instantly killing the 34-year-old ramp agent. The heartbreaking incident highlights the immense importance of airlines enforcing strict safety measures for ramp workers to prevent such accidents that cost lives like Edwards’.

In the wake of the tragic accident, OSHA cited Piedmont Airlines for one serious violation regarding exposing the ground crew to ingestion hazards during aircraft marshaling, wing-walking, and baggage-handling duties. For this violation, OSHA has proposed $15,625 in penalties against Piedmont, an amount set by federal statute. The citation and fine highlight the need for airlines to implement and enforce proper safety protocols to protect ramp workers from harm.

Following the tragic incident, Piedmont released a statement saying that safety was their top priority.

According to Machinists Union Safety Representative Joe D’Eccliss, many of the safety issues airlines are facing can be corrected with better training, lower turnover, and more careerism in the industry. 

“Airlines need more workers,” said D’Eccliss. “Short staffing is a major driver of the accident rates we are seeing,.” He also pointed out that injury rates tend to be higher at the contractors that airlines hire to perform work. “Direct-hires at major airlines get more investment from their companies,” and also stated,  “Contractors exist to cut corners and costs, and sometimes these cuts include safety.” 

David Roderick, District Legislative Director for the Machinists Union, agrees. “The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act” will help raise wages for airline and airport workers, which will help new agents choose airline work as their career,” he said. “An experienced workforce takes a little more money but is more than worth the investment,” he continued. “We also need to fine these companies more and ensure that our union members are treated fairly.”

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Airline Worker Injuries on Rise

September 13, 2023

As heatwaves plague the country, few places are hotter than Phoenix. Workers and city officials gathered at Phoenix Sky Harbor on Wednesday to share heat-related health and safety concerns. 

Sky Harbor Local Lodge 2559, which represents several hundred Machinists Union members, helped lead the event. 

Backed by Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Anasari, airport, and airline workers announced that they had filed a formal OSHA complaint against aviation support services provider Prospect Airport Services for allegedly not ensuring basic worker protections amid Phoenix’s record-high temperatures.

In 2023, Phoenix saw an astounding 31 consecutive days, with temperatures soaring at or over 110 degrees. The record-breaking streak was only one record that was shattered this year. In July, temperatures rose to 119 degrees, according to the National Weather Service, the highest temperature in the city’s history.  

The previous record was set back in 1989.

Workers met outside Terminal 4, holding signs and photos depicting Arizona’s extreme heat. One man had an image of a temperature gauge reading 113 degrees. One cabin cleaner said she was recently hospitalized because of the intense heat. “Over the course of the last few months, I’ve experienced nearly every symptom of heat illness,” she told local news outlet AZ Family. “I’ve suffered from extreme fatigue, weakness, headaches, vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of coordination, and nausea,” she said. “Our uniforms only make the heat worse. We often aren’t given access to water to drink on the airplanes while we’re cleaning the cabins. Sometimes I resort to drinking water left over by passengers.”

According to AZ Family, officials said the OSHA complaint aimed to “hold major airlines and their contractors accountable” for workers’ health and safety amid extreme heat. 

Phoenix airport workers also demanded Congress pass the “Good Jobs for Good Airports Act” to improve pay and benefits. Employees earned just $13-$14 per hour, some told AZ Family. “Our wages and benefits are a slap in the face after coming into the airport day in and day out to make it possible for these airlines to function,” said Cecilia Ortiz, a lead wheelchair assistant. “We cannot continue to live like this. We cannot continue to be paid poverty wages without quality employer-paid health care and other benefits like paid time off.”

The “Good Jobs for good Airports Act” would increase labor standards for service workers at airports that get federal funding and would apply to the vast majority of all unified workers in the nation. The proposed legislation has the backing of 43 co-sponsors.

According to Senator Ed Markey, the lead sponsor of the bill, the legislation would “provide airport workers with the pay, benefits, and labor standards they deserve after serving on the frontlines of our nation’s aviation system and keeping airports safe through a global pandemic, climate disasters, and peak travel seasons.” 

“In the face of ongoing health risks, airport service workers – including cleaners, wheelchair agents, baggage handlers, concessionaires, and security personnel – continue to play an essential role in keeping Americans moving. This legislation would improve job quality for hundreds of thousands of airport service workers – a largely Black, Brown, and immigrant workforce – by setting minimum wage and benefits levels at all major airports that receive federal funding.”

According to OSHA figures released this week, the number of on-the-job injuries at airports declined in 2020 when travel dropped due to the pandemic. However, as flights resumed, injuries rapidly rebounded and are now higher than before the pandemic. On September 1, a tragic accident occurred at Boston Logan Airport when a forklift operator was pinned by a metal beam and killed while servicing a JetBlue flight, highlighting the dangers airport workers continue to face. The agent’s name was not released, but he worked for a JetBlue contractor.

In that incident, authorities reported the 51-year-old forklift operator from Winthrop was working in an outdoor loading area at Terminal C when attempting to drive the lift through a bag service entrance. Tragically, the forklift’s backrest extension was raised at the time, according to Massachusetts State Police. 

This safety attachment is designed to protect drivers, but in this case, it led to the operator being fatally pinned against the entrance. The safety extension hit a metal beam intended to prevent vehicles from entering the tunnel if they are too large to drive through safely. But the extension, designed to prevent loads from tipping over and falling onto the forklift operator, caused the forklift to tip, crushing the driver. He died at Logan Hospital later that day. 

JetBlue refused to issue a statement immediately following the accident, but the airline’s ‘Code of Conduct’ reads, “Safety always comes first.” 

Another OSHA report, released in June, revealed that a failure to follow required safety procedures contributed to the tragic death of Piedmont Airlines customer service agent Courtney Edwards. According to the report, the American Airlines subsidiary did not ensure their ground crew adhered to protocols, resulting in Edwards being pulled into the spinning turbines of a jet engine, instantly killing the 34-year-old ramp agent. The heartbreaking incident highlights the immense importance of airlines enforcing strict safety measures for ramp workers to prevent such accidents that cost lives like Edwards’.

In the wake of the tragic accident, OSHA cited Piedmont Airlines for one serious violation regarding exposing the ground crew to ingestion hazards during aircraft marshaling, wing-walking, and baggage-handling duties. For this violation, OSHA has proposed $15,625 in penalties against Piedmont, an amount set by federal statute. The citation and fine highlight the need for airlines to implement and enforce proper safety protocols to protect ramp workers from harm.

Following the tragic incident, Piedmont released a statement saying that safety was their top priority.

According to Machinists Union Safety Representative Joe D’Eccliss, many of the safety issues airlines are facing can be corrected with better training, lower turnover, and more careerism in the industry. 

“Airlines need more workers,” said D’Eccliss. “Short staffing is a major driver of the accident rates we are seeing,.” He also pointed out that injury rates tend to be higher at the contractors that airlines hire to perform work. “Direct-hires at major airlines get more investment from their companies,” and also stated,  “Contractors exist to cut corners and costs, and sometimes these cuts include safety.” 

David Roderick, District Legislative Director for the Machinists Union, agrees. “The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act” will help raise wages for airline and airport workers, which will help new agents choose airline work as their career,” he said. “An experienced workforce takes a little more money but is more than worth the investment,” he continued. “We also need to fine these companies more and ensure that our union members are treated fairly.”

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99% Flight Attendants at American Vote to Authorize a Strike

99% Flight Attendants at American Vote to Authorize a Strike

99% Flight Attendants at American Vote to Authorize a Strike

IAM141.org

On Wednesday, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) announced that American Airlines’ flight attendants have voted in favor of going on strike if the company doesn’t agree to fair contract terms.

According to the APFA, which represents over 26,000 flight attendants at the airline, a staggering 99.47% of the flight attendants have voted to approve a strike.

“Today, we sent a clear message to American Airlines management,” said APFA National President Julie Hedrick. “We are fired up and ready for a contract. They ignore this strike vote at their peril,” she continued. “Our contributions to the success of American Airlines must be recognized and respected.”

The Union is asking to be paid for time spent on the job. Currently, American only pays the Union for the time they spend in the air; the time spent working while on the ground is unpaid. This is done at other airlines, such as Delta, which pays flight crews “boarding pay.”

APFA is also asking for scheduling improvements and better work / life balance.

The vote doesn’t necessarily indicate that a strike is on the immediate horizon. U.S. federal legislation sets high barriers for airline unions to legally go on strike. A federal mediator must declare that continued talks would be futile, a determination that is seldom made. Additionally, intervention from the President or Congress could further postpone or prevent a strike.

Should federal mediation fail to convince the company to offer the Union a fair agreement, the APFA has the option to enter a 30-day cooling-off period. After this period, the flight attendants would be permitted to initiate a strike.

Amid a strong labor market backdrop and growing public support for unions, unionized workers such as pilots, airline workers, and delivery drivers are experiencing increased leverage in negotiations.

Next week, a coalition of labor unions at United Airlines will hold a historic summit at the Machinists Union District Headquarters in Chicago. The meeting will include representatives from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Last week, American Airlines’ pilots ratified a new four-year contract featuring over $9.6 billion in total pay and benefits increases. This move is part of the airline’s competitive strategy against industry rivals like United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

On August 9, following two years of talks, Transport Workers Union Local 555, the Union representing 19,000 Southwest employees in areas like ramp operations, provisioning, and freight, finalized an agreement with the Dallas-based airline. Pending approval from union members, the new contract would include increased wages and 12 weeks of parental leave, among other benefits. Union members are scheduled to vote on the agreement from September 8 to September 20.

Notably, the pay increases at Southwest are the same as those negotiated on behalf of thousands of Machinists Union at United. The new agreement would grant top-of-scale pay for ground workers of $36.72.

As travel demand remains robust, airlines are scrambling to increase staffing. This urgency has empowered workers to negotiate for better pay and improved work conditions.

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99% Flight Attendants at American Vote to Authorize a Strike

August 31, 2023

On Wednesday, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) announced that American Airlines’ flight attendants have voted in favor of going on strike if the company doesn’t agree to fair contract terms.

According to the APFA, which represents over 26,000 flight attendants at the airline, a staggering 99.47% of the flight attendants have voted to approve a strike.

“Today, we sent a clear message to American Airlines management,” said APFA National President Julie Hedrick. “We are fired up and ready for a contract. They ignore this strike vote at their peril,” she continued. “Our contributions to the success of American Airlines must be recognized and respected.”

The Union is asking to be paid for time spent on the job. Currently, American only pays the Union for the time they spend in the air; the time spent working while on the ground is unpaid. This is done at other airlines, such as Delta, which pays flight crews “boarding pay.”

APFA is also asking for scheduling improvements and better work / life balance.

The vote doesn’t necessarily indicate that a strike is on the immediate horizon. U.S. federal legislation sets high barriers for airline unions to legally go on strike. A federal mediator must declare that continued talks would be futile, a determination that is seldom made. Additionally, intervention from the President or Congress could further postpone or prevent a strike.

Should federal mediation fail to convince the company to offer the Union a fair agreement, the APFA has the option to enter a 30-day cooling-off period. After this period, the flight attendants would be permitted to initiate a strike.

Amid a strong labor market backdrop and growing public support for unions, unionized workers such as pilots, airline workers, and delivery drivers are experiencing increased leverage in negotiations.

Next week, a coalition of labor unions at United Airlines will hold a historic summit at the Machinists Union District Headquarters in Chicago. The meeting will include representatives from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Last week, American Airlines’ pilots ratified a new four-year contract featuring over $9.6 billion in total pay and benefits increases. This move is part of the airline’s competitive strategy against industry rivals like United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

On August 9, following two years of talks, Transport Workers Union Local 555, the Union representing 19,000 Southwest employees in areas like ramp operations, provisioning, and freight, finalized an agreement with the Dallas-based airline. Pending approval from union members, the new contract would include increased wages and 12 weeks of parental leave, among other benefits. Union members are scheduled to vote on the agreement from September 8 to September 20.

Notably, the pay increases at Southwest are the same as those negotiated on behalf of thousands of Machinists Union at United. The new agreement would grant top-of-scale pay for ground workers of $36.72.

As travel demand remains robust, airlines are scrambling to increase staffing. This urgency has empowered workers to negotiate for better pay and improved work conditions.

 

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Hurricane Idalia: Emergency Resources

Hurricane Idalia: Emergency Resources

Hurricane Idalia Emergency Resources

Union Resources

Contact your Assistant General Chair or Local Grievance Committee for help accessing the IAM Disaster Relief Fund.

Disaster Relief Information

Employee Assistance Program

IAM141 Community Service

Airports are likely to have suffered damage as a result of the storm. If you see any safety-related issues when returning to work, please complete a safety report (GSAP, GSIP, etc.)
Safety Page

All IAM members can obtain confidential help through the IAM Employee/Member Assistance Program. Services include but are not limited to addictions, mental health, stress, depression, and financial hardship.

You can reach the confidential IAM Assistance Helpline by calling 301-335-0735 or emailing iameap@iamaw.org.

As an IAM member, you could also be eligible for a $500 disaster relief grant through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant program.

 

Mobile Apps

Florida Storms – Florida Public Radio Emergency Network Google Play  iTunes

Florida 511 – Get up-to-the-minute, real-time traffic conditions and incident information for the State of Florida with Florida 511.

FEMA – mobile app

Red Cross – mobile apps

Everbridge – mobile apps

Gas Buddy – Gas station availability

  •  
Traffic

 

Florida 511 – Get up-to-the-minute, real-time traffic conditions and incident information for the State of Florida with Florida 511.

Florida Highway Patrol – Florida Highway Patrol Live Traffic Crash and Road Condition Report. Reports are updated every five minutes. Incidents located within city limits also may not show on the map since it is not common practice for FHP to work incidents inside city limits.

Florida Traffic – Traffic incidents and conditions from Florida 511 and Florida Highway Patrol brought to you by Florida State Emergency Response Team Geographic Information Systems.

Evacuation Information

All Florida coastal counties and counties are susceptible to storm surges, and most have designated evacuation zones. 

Mapping tool: Allows those in the storm’s path to search by address and determine if you are in a designated evacuation zone. 

Evacuation Zones – to determine if you are in a designated evacuation zone

Evacuation Orders: View Florida County evacuation orders.

Read More About Evacuation Zones – learn more about designated evacuation zones, which counties have them and which don’t, how flood zones are factored into evacuations, and evacuation orders.

Shelter Status and Openings

Please go to Summary Shelter Information for currently open general and special needs shelters within the State of Florida. 

For information from your county Emergency Management program regarding shelter preparedness and lists of potential shelters that may be opened, please visit the Shelter Information Index and choose your county.

View Open Shelters on a map.

Special Needs Assistance

If you know or care for an individual with access or functional needs, such as a medical condition that requires assistance but not hospitalization, it is important that you pre-register with the Florida Special Needs Shelter Registry.

For more Special Needs Sheltering Information, here

 

State Assistance Information Hotline
Florida’s State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is active.

This toll-free hotline is activated to provide additional resources to help Floridians receive accurate & up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Idalia.

State Assistance Information Line: 1-800-342-3557

Report Fraud or Price Gouging
FEMA will never ask you for money to provide disaster assistance. Recognize fraud:  
  • FEMA employees will always have an official ID  
  • Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help & asks for money or personal info.  
  • Always talk with someone you trust.

Ways to Report Fraud to FEMA

For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster-fraud

Report Price Gouging in Florida

  • Call: 1-866-966-7226
Emergency Planning

While living in and visiting Florida offers many benefits and advantages, it is important to keep in mind severe weather hazards and potential threats. Every family and business should have predefined emergency plans and always keep an emergency supply kit ready and stocked.

Each Florida county has a designated emergency management program, and residents, businesses, and visitors should also visit their county’s emergency management for the most up-to-date and locally significant information.

 

Over 1,500 Flights Canceled Due to Hurricane Idalia

IAMAW141 | 30 August, 2023

By Wednesday morning, Hurricane Idalia had severely impacted the Gulf Coast Big Bend region, resulting in the cancellation of over 1,500 flights and the delay of at least 1,000 more.

The storm was the worst to hit the region in more than 120 years.

The Federal Aviation Authority has announced that multiple airports, such as Tampa, St. Pete-Clearwater, Sarasota, and Tallahassee, are shut down. They might reopen on Thursday, based on the amount of damage the storm caused.

Aviation tracking website FlightAware data shows Southwest Airlines being the hardest hit, with 200 canceled flights. American, Delta and United Airlines saw 200 additional delays and 300 cancellations at 9:00 a.m.

Passengers flying to airports in the path of Hurricane Idalia have been notified by major airlines, including Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United. These airlines offer free booking changes within a specific time frame to accommodate the hurricane’s impact on travel plans.

The National Hurricane Center reported that just before 8 a.m. ET, Idalia arrived at Keaton Beach in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and even higher gusts.

In preparation for potential impacts from Invest 93L, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has declared a state of emergency for 33 counties. This order enables state officials to provide necessary resources to any affected areas.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 33 counties in the hours leading up to Idalia’s landfall. The order allows state officials to make critical resources available to areas that the storm may impact.

Florida is home to thousands of Machinists Union Members centered around the state’s airports. 

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The Wage Debate: Why Better Wages Are Good News for Everyone—Even Workers

The Wage Debate: Why Better Wages Are Good News for Everyone—Even Workers

The Wage Debate: Why Better Wages Are Good News for Everyone—Even Workers

IAM141.org

We live in a society with the dubious honor of boasting a powerful and activist Managerial Class. This class would love little more than to convince a critical mass of working people to accept smaller paychecks. One way they accomplish this goal is to convince working people that they are going broke because they earn too much money. 

It may sound unlikely, but the argument has been instrumental in preventing a raise in the Federal Minimum Wage for the past 14 years, demonstrating both its ability to mislead and its staying power.

Another variant: workers are regularly warned that should their paychecks grow too large, their jobs could be outsourced to some far-flung corner of the world where employees will be less expensive and less impudent.

In recent years, the push for better wages has gained significant momentum, thanks in no small part to the tireless efforts of unions and worker advocates. Yet, a recurring argument persistently challenges this progress: the notion that higher wages inevitably lead to higher consumer prices, hurting the very people the movement aims to help. This argument may seem convincing, but is it grounded in reality?

The Blame Game: Workers as Scapegoats

Workers are being blamed for higher prices and portrayed as harming society through greed. For instance, wait staff are blamed for higher restaurant prices to make patrons angry at other members of the same working class instead of the owners and their endless quest for profits. 

There’s no universe in which profiteers will ever have enough money. Therefore, price hikes are inevitable and not caused by higher wages; they will always charge as much for their products as possible.

At the same time, workers are threatened by the Managerial Class with a lose-lose proposition: keep asking for more money, and we’ll increase the prices you pay for the things you need. This strategy aims to pit workers against each other and deflects attention from the true culprits behind rising costs.

The belief that higher wages harm consumers has been perpetuated to instill fear and division among working people. Far from being detrimental, better wages have been shown to significantly benefit the working class as a whole, creating a ripple effect of positive impacts across society.

So, whether you’re a worker concerned about the implications of wage increases or a consumer wary of price hikes, there’s good news. Better wages are not the enemy we’ve been led to believe. In fact, they could be the hero we’ve all been waiting for.

The Argument Against Wages

According to economic theory, labor costs, which are a part of the marginal cost of production, play a crucial role in setting consumer prices. Economists such as Richard Layard, Stephen Nickell, and Richard Jackman have argued that higher wages require higher consumer prices. Increased prices, they claim, neutralize the higher wages.

“…when buoyant demand reduces unemployment (at least relative to recent experienced levels), inflationary pressure develops. Firms start bidding against each other for labour, and workers feel more confident in pressing wage claims. If the inflationary pressure is too great, inflation starts spiraling upwards: higher wages lead to higher price rises, leading to still higher wage rises, and so on. This is the wage-price spiral.”

  •  Richard Layard, Stephen Nickell, and Richard Jackman, The unemployment crisis

This isn’t an argument for lower consumer prices, as it pretends to be. This is an argument against the very concept of wages. 

Effectively, the argument asks us to believe that lower wages are in the best interests of working people. If workers get paid less, they will enjoy more money since the prices they pay for goods and services are lower. 

Companies have various methods to absorb the increased labor costs that don’t involve raising prices, such as improving operational efficiencies or accepting slightly lower profit margins. 

The “wage-price spiral” argument is essentially circular reasoning. It assumes that higher wages will automatically lead to higher prices, which will then cause ever higher wages, and so on. It ignores completely the existence of self-correcting mechanisms in an economy, like increased supply or reduced demand, which can break the cycle. It also uses a slippery slope fallacy by implying that any wage increase will inevitably lead to runaway inflation. This also ignores vast empirical evidence that moderate wage increases have not led to uncontrollable inflation.

Wages Now vs. Wages Later

Firstly, the fear of higher prices is often predicated on the wages workers earn now, not the wages they would make after a raise. This is a crucial oversight. A significant wage increase could easily offset a modest increase in the cost of living. For example, a 10% increase in wages coupled with a 2% increase in the cost of goods still leaves the worker 8% better off.

Anti-union managers often employ similar reasoning to dissuade non-union workers from organizing. They raise the specter of unaffordable union dues as a deterrent, attempting to scare workers away from the benefits of collective bargaining. This argument is a variant of the anti-wage increase argument and is equally flawed for similar reasons.

Just as workers might fear higher prices based on their current wages rather than potential higher wages, non-union workers often calculate the cost of union dues against their current, lower wages. They’re not considering what they would be making if they were part of a union, which often includes higher wages, better benefits, job security, and improved working conditions.

By focusing on the immediate cost of union dues without considering the broader financial and social benefits of union membership, workers are making an incomplete assessment that only serves the interests of anti-union managers. It’s a fear tactic designed to maintain the status quo, keeping workers disempowered and wages low.

Like the argument against wage increases, the union dues fear tactic is a form of economic manipulation that seeks to keep workers in a state of uncertainty and apprehension, preventing them from taking steps that would improve their lives both financially and socially.

The truth is that the belief that higher wages harm consumers has been perpetuated to instill fear and division among working people. Far from being detrimental, better wages have been shown to significantly benefit the working class as a whole, creating a ripple effect of positive impacts across society.

In other words, when it comes to wages, sometimes more is more. 

+ Read the full report HERE

 

 

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The Wage Debate: Why Better Wages Are Good News for Everyone—Even Workers

August 29, 2023

We live in a society with the dubious honor of boasting a powerful and activist Managerial Class. This class would love little more than to convince a critical mass of working people to accept smaller paychecks. One way they accomplish this goal is to convince working people that they are going broke because they earn too much money. 

It may sound unlikely, but the argument has been instrumental in preventing a raise in the Federal Minimum Wage for the past 14 years, demonstrating both its ability to mislead and its staying power.

Another variant: workers are regularly warned that should their paychecks grow too large, their jobs could be outsourced to some far-flung corner of the world where employees will be less expensive and less impudent.

In recent years, the push for better wages has gained significant momentum, thanks in no small part to the tireless efforts of unions and worker advocates. Yet, a recurring argument persistently challenges this progress: the notion that higher wages inevitably lead to higher consumer prices, hurting the very people the movement aims to help. This argument may seem convincing, but is it grounded in reality?

The Blame Game: Workers as Scapegoats

Workers are being blamed for higher prices and portrayed as harming society through greed. For instance, wait staff are blamed for higher restaurant prices to make patrons angry at other members of the same working class instead of the owners and their endless quest for profits. 

There’s no universe in which profiteers will ever have enough money. Therefore, price hikes are inevitable and not caused by higher wages; they will always charge as much for their products as possible.

At the same time, workers are threatened by the Managerial Class with a lose-lose proposition: keep asking for more money, and we’ll increase the prices you pay for the things you need. This strategy aims to pit workers against each other and deflects attention from the true culprits behind rising costs.

The belief that higher wages harm consumers has been perpetuated to instill fear and division among working people. Far from being detrimental, better wages have been shown to significantly benefit the working class as a whole, creating a ripple effect of positive impacts across society.

So, whether you’re a worker concerned about the implications of wage increases or a consumer wary of price hikes, there’s good news. Better wages are not the enemy we’ve been led to believe. In fact, they could be the hero we’ve all been waiting for.

The Argument Against Wages

According to economic theory, labor costs, which are a part of the marginal cost of production, play a crucial role in setting consumer prices. Economists such as Richard Layard, Stephen Nickell, and Richard Jackman have argued that higher wages require higher consumer prices. Increased prices, they claim, neutralize the higher wages.

“…when buoyant demand reduces unemployment (at least relative to recent experienced levels), inflationary pressure develops. Firms start bidding against each other for labour, and workers feel more confident in pressing wage claims. If the inflationary pressure is too great, inflation starts spiraling upwards: higher wages lead to higher price rises, leading to still higher wage rises, and so on. This is the wage-price spiral.”

  •  Richard Layard, Stephen Nickell, and Richard Jackman, The unemployment crisis

This isn’t an argument for lower consumer prices, as it pretends to be. This is an argument against the very concept of wages. 

Effectively, the argument asks us to believe that lower wages are in the best interests of working people. If workers get paid less, they will enjoy more money since the prices they pay for goods and services are lower. 

Companies have various methods to absorb the increased labor costs that don’t involve raising prices, such as improving operational efficiencies or accepting slightly lower profit margins. 

The “wage-price spiral” argument is essentially circular reasoning. It assumes that higher wages will automatically lead to higher prices, which will then cause ever higher wages, and so on. It ignores completely the existence of self-correcting mechanisms in an economy, like increased supply or reduced demand, which can break the cycle. It also uses a slippery slope fallacy by implying that any wage increase will inevitably lead to runaway inflation. This also ignores vast empirical evidence that moderate wage increases have not led to uncontrollable inflation.

Wages Now vs. Wages Later

Firstly, the fear of higher prices is often predicated on the wages workers earn now, not the wages they would make after a raise. This is a crucial oversight. A significant wage increase could easily offset a modest increase in the cost of living. For example, a 10% increase in wages coupled with a 2% increase in the cost of goods still leaves the worker 8% better off.

Anti-union managers often employ similar reasoning to dissuade non-union workers from organizing. They raise the specter of unaffordable union dues as a deterrent, attempting to scare workers away from the benefits of collective bargaining. This argument is a variant of the anti-wage increase argument and is equally flawed for similar reasons.

Just as workers might fear higher prices based on their current wages rather than potential higher wages, non-union workers often calculate the cost of union dues against their current, lower wages. They’re not considering what they would be making if they were part of a union, which often includes higher wages, better benefits, job security, and improved working conditions.

By focusing on the immediate cost of union dues without considering the broader financial and social benefits of union membership, workers are making an incomplete assessment that only serves the interests of anti-union managers. It’s a fear tactic designed to maintain the status quo, keeping workers disempowered and wages low.

Like the argument against wage increases, the union dues fear tactic is a form of economic manipulation that seeks to keep workers in a state of uncertainty and apprehension, preventing them from taking steps that would improve their lives both financially and socially.

The truth is that the belief that higher wages harm consumers has been perpetuated to instill fear and division among working people. Far from being detrimental, better wages have been shown to significantly benefit the working class as a whole, creating a ripple effect of positive impacts across society.

In other words, when it comes to wages, sometimes more is more. 

+ Read the full report HERE

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U.S. Department of Transportation Slams American Airlines With Record Fines for Tarmac Delays

U.S. Department of Transportation Slams American Airlines With Record Fines for Tarmac Delays

U.S. Department of Transportation Slams American Airlines With Record Fines for Tarmac Delays

IAM141.org

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation charged American Airlines a $4.1 million fine for breaking the law by repeatedly keeping passengers trapped on the runway for over three hours.

The Department of Transportation requires airlines to return planes to the gate and let passengers off whenever a domestic flight sits on the tarmac for three hours.

The DOT said the worst delays happened at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, American Airlines’ biggest hub. Additional delays occurred at airports in Houston, San Antonio, and near Washington, D.C. In an August 2020 incident, 105 passengers were stuck on the runway in San Antonio for six grueling hours – enough time to fly from Texas to California. In at least one case, passengers trapped in an American Airlines plane were not offered food or water. In all, the suit alleges 5,821 travelers were affected.

“This is the latest action in our continued drive to enforce the rights of airline passengers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Whether the issue is extreme tarmac delays or problems getting refunds, DOT will continue to protect consumers and hold airlines accountable.”

The DOT investigation found that American Airlines violated passenger rights to deplane during lengthy delays at least 43 times from 2018 to 2021. The lawsuit claims that none of the safety or security conditions that could have justified keeping passengers on idle planes were applied to any of the flights mentioned in the complaint.

The $4.1 million penalty is the biggest fine the Department has ever issued for breaking its rule on long tarmac delays. Out of this amount, $2.05 million will be waived since the airline used that amount to compensate passengers on the delayed flights.

The rule against long delays on the tarmac started during the Obama era. For flights within the U.S., airlines can’t keep passengers on the runway for more than three hours without letting them off the plane. For international flights, the maximum time is four hours.

Earlier this year, the DOT drafted a new rule to make airlines pay for amenities like meals, hotel stays, and rebooking costs when they’re at fault for leaving passengers stranded. Following a two-year effort by the DOT to enhance traveler experience, the top 10 airlines now promise to provide meals and complimentary rebooking on their own airline, with nine also ensuring hotel stays.

Additionally, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has pressed airlines to ensure families can sit together without extra fees. Before these rules were in place, airlines could charge parents additional to sit with their children. Now, such charges must be disclosed upfront, the first time airfare is presented to the passenger. The notifications also include other charges that airlines had previously buried in the fine print, such as fees for carry-on and checked baggage and cancellation fees. 

American Airlines responded to the sanctions by claiming the delays did not affect that many people. 

“While these delays were the result of exceptional weather events, the flights represent a very small number of the 7.7 million flights during this time period,” said spokeswoman Sarah Jantz in a New York Times article. “We have since apologized to the impacted customers and regret any inconvenience caused.”

 

 

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U.S. Department of Transportation Slams American Airlines With Record Fines for Tarmac Delays

August 29, 2023

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation charged American Airlines a $4.1 million fine for breaking the law by repeatedly keeping passengers trapped on the runway for over three hours.

The Department of Transportation requires airlines to return planes to the gate and let passengers off whenever a domestic flight sits on the tarmac for three hours.

The DOT said the worst delays happened at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, American Airlines’ biggest hub. Additional delays occurred at airports in Houston, San Antonio, and near Washington, D.C. In an August 2020 incident, 105 passengers were stuck on the runway in San Antonio for six grueling hours – enough time to fly from Texas to California. In at least one case, passengers trapped in an American Airlines plane were not offered food or water. In all, the suit alleges 5,821 travelers were affected.

“This is the latest action in our continued drive to enforce the rights of airline passengers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Whether the issue is extreme tarmac delays or problems getting refunds, DOT will continue to protect consumers and hold airlines accountable.”

The DOT investigation found that American Airlines violated passenger rights to deplane during lengthy delays at least 43 times from 2018 to 2021. The lawsuit claims that none of the safety or security conditions that could have justified keeping passengers on idle planes were applied to any of the flights mentioned in the complaint.

The $4.1 million penalty is the biggest fine the Department has ever issued for breaking its rule on long tarmac delays. Out of this amount, $2.05 million will be waived since the airline used that amount to compensate passengers on the delayed flights.

The rule against long delays on the tarmac started during the Obama era. For flights within the U.S., airlines can’t keep passengers on the runway for more than three hours without letting them off the plane. For international flights, the maximum time is four hours.

Earlier this year, the DOT drafted a new rule to make airlines pay for amenities like meals, hotel stays, and rebooking costs when they’re at fault for leaving passengers stranded. Following a two-year effort by the DOT to enhance traveler experience, the top 10 airlines now promise to provide meals and complimentary rebooking on their own airline, with nine also ensuring hotel stays.

Additionally, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has pressed airlines to ensure families can sit together without extra fees. Before these rules were in place, airlines could charge parents additional to sit with their children. Now, such charges must be disclosed upfront, the first time airfare is presented to the passenger. The notifications also include other charges that airlines had previously buried in the fine print, such as fees for carry-on and checked baggage and cancellation fees. 

American Airlines responded to the sanctions by claiming the delays did not affect that many people. 

“While these delays were the result of exceptional weather events, the flights represent a very small number of the 7.7 million flights during this time period,” said spokeswoman Sarah Jantz in a New York Times article. “We have since apologized to the impacted customers and regret any inconvenience caused.”

 

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$500 Fine for Employer Behind Gruesome Teenage Amputation Incident

$500 Fine for Employer Behind Gruesome Teenage Amputation Incident

Owner of US Guys Processing, Darin Wilbur. Wilbur was found guilty in a criminal case of child endangerment at his business which resulted in a teenager losing his right hand in a meat grinder. He was fined $500 plus costs for the violations. 

$500 Fine for Employer Behind Gruesome Teenage Amputation Incident

IAM141.org

On August 8, 55-year-old Darin Wilbur was fined $1,143 for hiring a minor to perform a hazardous job, leading to the young worker’s hand being lost in a meat grinder, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

The amputation happened on November 19, 2019. According to a state filing, a 17-year-old employee of US Guys Processing in Iona County, Michigan, was operating a meat grinder when his right hand was pulled into the machine.

Soon after the injury, the Michigan Wage and Hour Division took Wilbur, who was supervising him at the time of the accident, to court. The investigation found that Wilbur had illegally ordered the teen to perform work listed as “hazardous” by the State of Michigan. Investigators also found that he failed to secure a work permit for the minor, as required by Michigan law.

The Division’s findings were submitted to the State Department of the Attorney General to pursue a criminal complaint. In August, Wilbur pleaded guilty to the charges.

After the guilty plea, Ionia County District Judge Raymond Voet fined Wilbur $500, plus an additional $148 in fees owed to the teen. Wilbur was also responsible for a “costs” payment to the court.

In passing the sentence, Judge Voet said there was no compelling reason for jail time or probation. He added that child welfare laws clashed with the views of many area residents.

“Ionia County is a farming county, and I know a lot of people in this county view children working, sometimes around dangerous machinery, as part of growing up,” Judge Voet said of the case. He added that the minor would have turned 18 anyway, saying, “Two months later, we wouldn’t even be here.” Additionally, Judge Voet found that Wilbur had told him to “be careful” working with the meat grinder and was unaware of the need to secure work permits for young workers.

“Our labor laws were written to protect children from dangerous workplaces; however, they lack the teeth needed to properly hold bad employers accountable for violations,” said Nessel at the time of Wilbur’s plea. “This case highlights the need to strengthen these protections, as well as the consequences for violations, and I look forward to working with the legislature on this critical work to protect the state’s youth.”

Nessel called on the legislature to re-evaluate the fines for employing minors without the requisite permits and the current statutes and penalties surrounding using children in hazardous occupations, a misdemeanor.

US Guys Processing workers are not unified and do not possess union rights to file grievances when their employer violates the terms of their employment. They also cannot file actionable safety reports or request regular inspections of the facilities, as union members can do.

Front-line workers can file a safety report anytime in the heavily-unified airline industry. These reports are known as Ground Safety Action (GSAP) or Air Safety Action (ASAP) reports, effectively make every employee a fully-deputized safety inspector. The reports are non-punitive, meaning that union members will not face discipline if they report a safety violation or close calls involving their airport duties.

Non-Union employees often have no legal recourse if exposed to unsafe conditions at work. For most, taking a matter to court is too expensive and time-consuming to be a realistic option.

In 2022, a spate of state legislatures enacted measures to roll back child labor laws. Many would make the violations that led to the Michigan teens injuries legal by removing penalties such as fines and jail time for offenders.

Federal regulations ensuring basic safeguards for child workers were established almost a hundred years ago. The child labor regulations have led many to believe that placing teens and children in unsafe working conditions was a thing of the past. In fact, there has been a surge in breaches of child labor laws, even as state legislators are increasingly trying to dilute the criteria safeguarding children at work.

According to a study by the Economic Policy Institute, there’s been a 37% increase in minors working in contravention of child labor laws over the past year alone. Furthermore, in the last two years, a minimum of 10 states have either introduced or approved laws that diminish child labor protections. These efforts to undermine state-level child labor regulations are driven by a concerted push from industry factions aiming to weaken nationwide federal standards. Even worse, the level of child endangerment is likely much higher, as most cases go unreported or even unrecognized as instances of child abuse. As Judge Voet points out, many victims of such abuse consider their mistreatment a normal part of growing up.

Tougher penalties for child labor violations could help reduce the number of children and teens hurt and killed by abusive and exploitative employers. Still, these measures are unlikely to become law anytime soon.

As the Economic Policy Institute study points out, seven bills that will weaken protections for children in workplaces have been introduced in six states. These include Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota.) Arkansas has repealed protections for 14-year-olds, and Minnesota allows teens to work on construction sites. These policies are in addition to already-lax investigations and enforcement of child labor laws, which rely on small fines such as that levied by Judge Voet in the criminal complaint against Daren Wilbur – and those fines are only applied to reported cases. Child labor fines can be calculated as a regular cost of doing business.

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Owner of US Guys Processing, Darin Wilbur. Wilbur was found guilty in a criminal case of child endangerment at his business which resulted in a teenager losing his right hand in a meat grinder. He was fined $500 plus costs for the violations.

$500 Fine for Employer Behind Gruesome Teenage Amputation Incident

August 10, 2023

On August 8, 55-year-old Darin Wilbur was fined $1,143 for hiring a minor to perform a hazardous job, leading to the young worker’s hand being lost in a meat grinder, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

The amputation happened on November 19, 2019. According to a state filing, a 17-year-old employee of US Guys Processing in Iona County, Michigan, was operating a meat grinder when his right hand was pulled into the machine.

Soon after the injury, the Michigan Wage and Hour Division took Wilbur, who was supervising him at the time of the accident, to court. The investigation found that Wilbur had illegally ordered the teen to perform work listed as “hazardous” by the State of Michigan. Investigators also found that he failed to secure a work permit for the minor, as required by Michigan law.

The Division’s findings were submitted to the State Department of the Attorney General to pursue a criminal complaint. In August, Wilbur pleaded guilty to the charges.

After the guilty plea, Ionia County District Judge Raymond Voet fined Wilbur $500, plus an additional $148 in fees owed to the teen. Wilbur was also responsible for a “costs” payment to the court.

In passing the sentence, Judge Voet said there was no compelling reason for jail time or probation. He added that child welfare laws clashed with the views of many area residents.

“Ionia County is a farming county, and I know a lot of people in this county view children working, sometimes around dangerous machinery, as part of growing up,” Judge Voet said of the case. He added that the minor would have turned 18 anyway, saying, “Two months later, we wouldn’t even be here.” Additionally, Judge Voet found that Wilbur had told him to “be careful” working with the meat grinder and was unaware of the need to secure work permits for young workers.

“Our labor laws were written to protect children from dangerous workplaces; however, they lack the teeth needed to properly hold bad employers accountable for violations,” said Nessel at the time of Wilbur’s plea. “This case highlights the need to strengthen these protections, as well as the consequences for violations, and I look forward to working with the legislature on this critical work to protect the state’s youth.”

Nessel called on the legislature to re-evaluate the fines for employing minors without the requisite permits and the current statutes and penalties surrounding using children in hazardous occupations, a misdemeanor.

US Guys Processing workers are not unified and do not possess union rights to file grievances when their employer violates the terms of their employment. They also cannot file actionable safety reports or request regular inspections of the facilities, as union members can do.

Front-line workers can file a safety report anytime in the heavily-unified airline industry. These reports are known as Ground Safety Action (GSAP) or Air Safety Action (ASAP) reports, effectively make every employee a fully-deputized safety inspector. The reports are non-punitive, meaning that union members will not face discipline if they report a safety violation or close calls involving their airport duties.

Non-Union employees often have no legal recourse if exposed to unsafe conditions at work. For most, taking a matter to court is too expensive and time-consuming to be a realistic option.

In 2022, a spate of state legislatures enacted measures to roll back child labor laws. Many would make the violations that led to the Michigan teens injuries legal by removing penalties such as fines and jail time for offenders.

Federal regulations ensuring basic safeguards for child workers were established almost a hundred years ago. The child labor regulations have led many to believe that placing teens and children in unsafe working conditions was a thing of the past. In fact, there has been a surge in breaches of child labor laws, even as state legislators are increasingly trying to dilute the criteria safeguarding children at work.

According to a study by the Economic Policy Institute, there’s been a 37% increase in minors working in contravention of child labor laws over the past year alone. Furthermore, in the last two years, a minimum of 10 states have either introduced or approved laws that diminish child labor protections. These efforts to undermine state-level child labor regulations are driven by a concerted push from industry factions aiming to weaken nationwide federal standards. Even worse, the level of child endangerment is likely much higher, as most cases go unreported or even unrecognized as instances of child abuse. As Judge Voet points out, many victims of such abuse consider their mistreatment a normal part of growing up.

Tougher penalties for child labor violations could help reduce the number of children and teens hurt and killed by abusive and exploitative employers. Still, these measures are unlikely to become law anytime soon.

As the Economic Policy Institute study points out, seven bills that will weaken protections for children in workplaces have been introduced in six states. These include Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota.) Arkansas has repealed protections for 14-year-olds, and Minnesota allows teens to work on construction sites. These policies are in addition to already-lax investigations and enforcement of child labor laws, which rely on small fines such as that levied by Judge Voet in the criminal complaint against Daren Wilbur – and those fines are only applied to reported cases. Child labor fines can be calculated as a regular cost of doing business.

 

 

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