IAM and Other Transportation Unions Raise Concerns About Assault on Airline Workers

Transportation Newswire
14 February 2022

The IAM joined other transportation unions in raising urgent concerns regarding assaults against passenger service agents working across airports in the United States. The letter was addressed to President Biden, U.S. Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 

 
The letter urges governmental action to address the increase in assaults against passenger service agents, including the prosecution of abusive passengers.
 
“Airline gate agents are a vital part of a multilayered airline security and safety process at the airport,” reads the letter. “Our members are responsible for checking passengers into their flights, checking luggage to comply with airline weight and balance limits, and boarding passengers onto the aircraft in an orderly and structured way.”
 
Over the past few months, passenger service members across the country have experienced serious physical and verbal assault and harassment incidents, with few repercussions for the offending passenger imposed by law enforcement.
 
The FAA has reported a total of 5,981 passenger incidents in 2021, which is up sharply from previous years.
 
“The IAM supports the push for more substantial penalties against unruly passengers who assault passenger service agents and other airline workers,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President.
 
“Our union continues to ring the alarm and highlight the need of enforcing the laws for assault against all airline workers. The best way to curb these unfortunate incidents is for the interagency working group to listen to the impacted workers in the airline industry. We must all work together to end the assaults that afflict our members.” 
 
The labor coalition expressed the need for all frontline gate agents to expect a safe workplace, free from the threat of violence, and increased cooperation is required to improve the safety of these employees.
 
 

The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League seeks to advance public policy that benefits airline and aerospace workers. To support the work of the MNPL, please consider recurring, automatic donations of any amount today. Click Here to start supporting this important work.

The Union

141 Report: The IAM Members Who Train Flight Crews

141 Report: The IAM Members Who Train Flight Crews

Jul 23, 2021

Did you know that IAM members train United pilots and flight attendants? This highly skilled and specialized group of 150 IAM members design programs and provide training in aircraft systems and emergency procedures for United’s flight crews. Did you know that IAM...

Tell Your Senator to Pass the PRO Act

Tell Your Senator to Pass the PRO Act

Jul 22, 2021

[supsystic-social-sharing id='3']Most American workers want to join a union but can't. The PRO Act will help fix that. Nearly 60 percent of American workers would join a union if they had the opportunity to do so. American workers almost universally support pensions...

Primer on Inside Organizing Committees

Primer on Inside Organizing Committees

Jul 21, 2021

[supsystic-social-sharing id='3']Inside Organizing Committees, often referred to as "Inside Committees" are a key part of organizing a workplace. Here's a little more information about how they work. Got Union questions? Call or text a Union Representative at (954)...

Share This