Airport Concession Workers Across the US Fight Back Against Unite Here's Backroom Deal With Delaware North Company

NEW YORK -Workers United and Delaware North employees petitioned for a National Labor Relations Board election today to ensure that the 2,100 employees of the airport concessions operator have a voice in choosing their union. The election blocks a backroom deal between the airport concessionaire and Unite Here, another labor organization seeking to represent Delaware North workers. The contract at the airport concessions company expired ten months ago, and the tentative agreement between Unite Here and Delaware North provides no improvements in wages or healthcare benefits. There was no elected contract negotiating committee, and workers had no significant input in UNITE HERE's bargaining process.
"We want to have a strong union. We need a union that we run, that is strong enough to win raises and better health care, and that doesn't cut backroom deals with the company," said Pearline Burton, who has worked for three years at Delaware North's operation in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. "That's why we have taken action to win a real union with Workers United."
Delaware North Travel Hospitality workers are covered by a national labor agreement at 15 airports. Workers at some units are serviced by Workers United and others are serviced by UNITE HERE. The NLRB election will allow workers to choose which union represents them nationwide. The election process will also halt Unite Here's attempt to ratify the substandard contract.
"I am appalled that Unite Here would try to sneak this deal by 2,100 workers. The proposed contract is not about what's good for union members. It's about dues income for Unite Here and Delaware North's profits. Workers want a union that is transparent, democratic, and able to help them win the wages and benefits they deserve," said Workers United President Bruce Raynor. "We will not let Unite Here sell Delaware North workers out. With this election, workers will have a voice in choosing their union and more input into their contract in the future."
Workers United is an SEIU affiliate that represents 150,000 workers in the US and Canada who work in the laundry, food service, hospitality, gaming, apparel, textile, manufacturing and distribution industries. It was formed in March 2009 after workers voted to leave the failed merger of UNITE and HERE. www.workersunitedunion.org
Source: Workers United Union
CONTACT: Matt Painter of Workers United Union, +1-917-208-2552
Web Site: http://www.workersunitedunion.org/