The members of Teamsters Local 299 say Aircraft Services International Group Inc. cut their pay by about $1 an hour, tripled their health care payments and eliminated seniority preference for shifts and time off.
Aircraft Services, based in Orlando, Fla., has bargained with the Teamsters at Metro Airport for 35 years. But on May 11, the company won a case before the National Mediation Board in which the company successfully argued that it does not have to recognize a Teamsters local at Pittsburgh International Airport.
The decision also applies in Detroit, according to Douglas Hall, a lawyer for the company.
The board's ruling stated that Aircraft Services' operations are under the jurisdiction of the Railway Labor Act, which applies to airlines and rail companies. Therefore, its workers would have to form a national union of refuelers rather than unionize on a geographic basis.
Workers at Metro Airport were told May 15 that the company no longer recognizes their union.
Airport spokesman Mike Conway would not comment on a potential strike but said airport officials are monitoring the situation closely.
Chicago Tribune
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