O'Hare cargo workers protest working conditions ahead of Thanksgiving travel surge

Swissport Cargo workers will congregate outside of the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building downtown on Tuesday to detail what they call unsafe working conditions at O'Hare International Airport ahead of the busiest day for air travel in the country.

Airport workers with Swissport Cargo will hold the press conference as nearly 100 employees file formal complaints with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration over dangerous working conditions that include "faulty vehicles, extreme heat issues and run-down equipment" that puts workers at risk. 

According to a news release sent by Service Employees International Union Local 1, which represents 50,000 workers throughout the Midwest, the city has charged Swissport over 70 times this year for breaking rules and regulations. Fifteen of those violations are reportedly related to safety and health. 

The union also states that since 2015, Swissport has been investigated by OSHA 34 times for "insufficient investment in equipment and workplace safety and health policies." 

The employees will be joined by SEIU Local 1 President Genie Kastrup and Ald. Silvana Tabares, 23rd, whose ward includes Midway International Airport. Also joining the action is Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th. 

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg met with workers Monday at O'Hare to announce new infrastructure investments and to hear concerns from airline employees.

"Needless to say, the health and safety of our colleagues both in the U.S. and all our locations worldwide is paramount, and we utilize a robust mixture of training and measures to ensure that everyone knows and can follow the procedures we have in place to keep each other safe," Louise Steggals, a regional communications manager at Swissport, said in a statement.

Steggals said a more detailed response could be made once claims are seen in full detail. 

Along with complaints about Swissport, workers are stating concerns of "fewer protections, poverty wages and worsening staffing" for airport workers in general, according to a statement from SEIU.

This action comes after airline workers with the Transport Workers Union of America called for legislation to protect airline employees from unruly passengers at Midway. Workers with that union launched their "Assault Won't Fly" campaign as holiday travel is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels. 

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/transportation/ohare-swissport-cargo-workers-protest-working-conditions