The workers who refuel planes at John F. Kennedy Airport in Queens are planning to go on strike, causing uncertainty for travelers during the busy Memorial Day weekend. Teamsters Local 553, representing 300 workers and mechanics at the airport, have been without a collective bargaining agreement with Allied Aviation Services since June 30, 2023. The union has been working without a contract for almost a year, and negotiations have stalled as Allied is conditioning a new contract on the union forfeiting their right to strike in the future, which the union is not willing to do. Allied is the sole fuel service provider at JFK, making it the only company airlines can use for jet fuel services.
The dispute between Teamsters Local 553 and Allied Aviation Services is over which national labor agency has jurisdiction over the contract disputes. The union believes they have greater protections and the right to strike under the National Labor Relations Board, while Allied is contesting this and seeking to have the National Mediation Board oversee the issue. The union accuses Allied of attempting to get unions to give up their rights in exchange for contracts and claims that this has been a coordinated effort by the company at airports across the country. However, they state that they have successfully resisted this pressure at Newark airport and will do so again at JFK.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey oversees JFK airport and has stated that they will work closely with airport partners to minimize disruptions in the event of a strike. However, they have no involvement in the negotiations between the contractor and unionized staff. Brian Xavier, the general manager for Allied Services at JFK Airport, has stated that he is not aware of the union’s planned strike and cannot comment on the situation. During the last strike by the workers, Allied used management personnel to refuel planes in order to minimize disruptions for airlines and passengers.
The strike by the workers at JFK Airport is a result of the union’s refusal to give up their right to strike in future negotiations with Allied Aviation Services. The union has been working without a collective bargaining agreement for almost a year and is seeking to protect the rights of their members by maintaining the ability to strike. The situation has caused uncertainty for travelers during the busy Memorial Day weekend as the workers hold out for a fair agreement with the private firm that provides fuel services at the airport.
The jurisdictional issue over which national labor agency oversees the contract disputes has become a point of contention between Teamsters Local 553 and Allied Aviation Services. The union believes they have greater protections and the right to strike under the National Labor Relations Board, while Allied is contesting this and seeking to have the National Mediation Board oversee the issue. The union accuses Allied of attempting to get unions to give up their rights in exchange for contracts and claims that this has been a coordinated effort by the company at airports across the country.
