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

“United Next” Will Build a Bigger United and a Stronger IAM

“United Next” Will Build a Bigger United and a Stronger IAM

Jul 1, 2021

United is placing the biggest new aircraft order in its history, a total of 200 MAX jets from Boeing plus 70 aircraft from Airbus, and will hire 25,000 new employees in the next 5 years to support that investment in their fleet. 25,000 New Hires, 500 New...

Three IAM Family Members Awarded 2021 Union Plus Scholarships

Three IAM Family Members Awarded 2021 Union Plus Scholarships

Jun 29, 2021

[supsystic-social-sharing id='3']Three IAM families are celebrating what it means to be union after winning 2021 Union Plus scholarships. Recipients are being recognized for their academic achievements and union values. Many thanks to the Machinists & Aerospace...

Do You Qualify for Monthly Child Tax Credit Payments? FACT SHEET

Do You Qualify for Monthly Child Tax Credit Payments? FACT SHEET

Jun 28, 2021

[supsystic-social-sharing id='3']The Machinists Union fought hard for the passage of the American Rescue Plan to bring relief to working families. One piece of relief coming soon for most IAM families will be the increased Child Tax Credit. Many thanks to the...

Share This