East Coast Airport Workers to Protest US Airways' Shareholders Meeting

Workers from MA, FL, NY, NJ and PA will highlight that while the airline industry is now profitable, workers are not sharing in the prosperity

NEW YORK, July 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Friday, July 12 at 9:00am: Low-wage airport workers and supporters from Boston, Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale, Newark and New York City will rally Friday morning outside US Airways' shareholders meeting to protest a business model that requires them to labor in a shadow economy with no job security, working for minimum wage, relying on tips and lacking basic benefits while the airlines' top executives rake in millions of dollars.

US Airways' shareholders are expected to cast the final vote to approve a $11 billion merger with American Airlines – effectively creating the world's largest airline -- but the airline still fails to address wage and working conditions for thousands of contracted security officers, cleaners and wheelchair attendants who struggle to get by. US Airways shareholders will also vote to approve a $86 million compensation package in 2012 compensation and merger-related contingency pay US Airways' CEO and top executives, including a potential $19.8 million severance package for American Airlines CEO Tom Horton.

Last year, US Airways reported their highest annual profit in company history, which was on par for the industry, as the nation's top airlines turned a profit last year. This is in stark contrast to the contracted service workers who earn as little as $4.77 an hour plus tips and with no health insurance, who can barely cover the basic needs of their families.

WHAT:     The People's Board Meeting, a mock shareholder meeting outside the US Airways shareholders vote to approve a $11 billion merger with American Airlines and to approve tens of millions in compensation to a handful of top executives.

WHO:       More than 100 airport terminals and aircrafts cleaners, passenger assistants, and community supporters from Boston, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and Ft. Lauderdale airports 
Hector Figueroa, President of 32BJ SEIU

WHEN:     Friday, July 12 at 9am

WHERE:   Outside the US Airways Shareholders Meeting
                53^rd Street and 3^rd Avenue, Manhattan, NY

SOURCE 32BJ SEIU

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