NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- About 60 people were arrested at JFK Airport Tuesday afternoon after blocking traffic during one of the busiest days of the year at one of the country's busiest airports during a protest staged by airline catering workers demanding better pay and benefits.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the 60 individuals were issued disorderly conduct summons.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and councilman Ydanis Rodriguez were among the lawmakers that attended the protest.
De Blasio addressed the protesters, telling them, "You're fighting a noble fight here. You're fighting for your families. You're fighting for the health care you deserve. But you're also fighting for all working people."
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris chimed in on Twitter, writing, "Airline catering workers shouldn't have to choose between paying their bills or seeing a doctor. Today I joined @unitehere in calling on @AmericanAir @United and @Delta to raise the minimum wage of catering workers to $15/hr and benefits. One job should be enough to survive."
Hundreds of workers -- employees of food service subcontractor LSG Sky Chefs and Gate Gourmet -- blocked airport roads, and staged sit-ins around ticket counters in pre-security areas with T-shirts emblazoned with "One job should be enough."
The workers staged a "die-in" at the American Airlines area in Terminal 8.
According to the workers, they are not earning enough to keep up with the cost of living. They are demanding to be paid at least $15 an hour.
American Airlines said in a statement, "We are confident that, with the ongoing assistance of federal mediators, the catering companies and Unite Here will negotiate new nationwide agreements that increase pay and benefits. We understand that new labor contracts between Unite Here and LSG Sky Chefs and Gate Gourmet will result in increased costs for their many airline customers, including American. We are not in a position to control the outcome of their negotiations or dictate what wages or benefits are agreed upon between the catering companies and their employees."
