Aramark workers from the Arizona State University campuses travelled to the Arizona Board of Regents last week to talk with board members about their upcoming contract negotiations. Workers’ contract with Aramark expired in August of this year, and we will not stand for anything less than a fair contract and we are prepared to fight for it.
LSG Sky Chef’s workers at Sky Harbor Airport are facing mass layoffs after their employer lost the contract with American Airlines. Sky Cafe, the replacement contractor, has not committed to hiring the hundreds of laid-off workers. Workers held a press conference urging the Phoenix City Council to take any and all steps to protect workers’ jobs.
So many organizers, community members, and faith leaders came out for our Nonviolent Direct Action Training in Tucson! People came from all backgrounds and all different levels of organizing to meet others fighting the good fight and to study “the science of how you create a world that practices truth, justice, and compassion,” as Reverend Lawson would say!
We’re excited to bring this training to Phoenix at the end of September, so stay tuned to hear how to participate! You can click here to see all the pictures form the training.
“Unite Here Local 11 says LSG Sky Chefs employee Filiberto Lares was suspended over a “safety issue” and given a warning. The suspension comes just weeks after Lares complained to city leaders that the AC was not properly functioning in their airline-catering trucks and the same day the union organized a protest at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.”
Congratulations to workers at Desert Diamond Arena, Hudson at Sky Harbor Airport, Talking Stick Resort Amphitheater, Ontario Convention Center, and Toyota Arena workers on joining the union!
“Because thats what we have to do, that’s at the heart of this movement, fighting for our community.” David Borg is a Shop Steward at the Tempe Mission palms in Tempe, AZ.
Phoenix, AZ – Hundreds of food and beverage workers employed by SSP America at Sky Harbor Airport walk out on strike. Cashiers, cooks, bartenders, servers, dishwashers, and baristas from well-known airport eateries, such as Matt’s Big Breakfast, Pita Jungle, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Four Peaks Brewing Co., are on strike for better wages and benefits and plan to hold picket lines at the terminals.
SSP America is contracted by the City of Phoenix to operate food and beverage concessions at the city-owned airport. The contractor employs over 400 workers in both terminals, both pre-and post-security.
Workers’ collective bargaining agreement with SSP America expired on May 31st. Despite the union’s proposals during negotiations, the company has not made significant movement on much-needed wage increases, health insurance contributions, and working conditions.
Last month, SSP America was also the subject of two complaints with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) reporting what appeared to be rats at Dunkin’ Donuts and cockroaches at Matt’s Big Breakfast and Pei Wei. Per their lease contract with the City of Phoenix, SSP America is responsible for exterminating and preventing the presence of rodents and other vermin within the premises.
In addition, workers filed multiple federal labor charges against SSP America alleging unlawful disciplinary actions, unilateral changes, and unlawful surveillance.
Workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 11, voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike based on the company’s alleged unfair labor practices and inadequate contract offers on September 1st.
Phoenix Convention Center employees ratified a great contract with Aramark on March 24th with victories like affordable & high-quality union health insurance, Catering Service Workers are up to $20/ hr, and over $4 in raises for all classifications by Feb 2025.
