MIA worker and county commissioner tell Congress of unsafe conditions, low wages

Jan. 15--An airport worker from Miami International Airport and a Miami-Dade commissioner testified Wednesday in Washington, D.C., about dangerous working conditions and low wages for airline subcontractor workers.

Esteban Barrios, 61, who works for Eulen America, a Spain-based company contracted by American Airlines and Delta Airlines to clean planes, and Commissioner Eileen Higgins called on members of the House subcommittee on aviation to encourage airlines to hire companies that pay workers at least $15 an hour and prioritize safety.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Eulen America $46,739 last year after inspections found eight safety and health violations at MIA, including lack of water for employees, exposure to harmful germs and roaches in vehicles.

Barrios said problems still exist despite the fines.

"The employer has resolved some of the issues, not all of them," he told representatives. "They've waited for accidents to happen for them to address issues." He asked federal lawmakers to provide more regulation of airport work conditions.

Eulen said in a statement that the portrayal of the company at Wednesday's hearing was part of a false narrative from labor unions.

"Any safety issue raised by a Eulen America employee, anywhere in the nation, is addressed immediately," said CEO Xavi Rabell. "There are numerous ways for employees to communicate with the company on safety, workplace, and other human resources concerns, including a nationwide hotline. Safety is our core value and our employees are the heart and soul of our operations."

Eulen is one of the few airport companies required to pay its employees at least $13.61 per hour with health insurance, or $17.06 an hour without, per the county's living wage ordinance, passed in 2018. Airlines and their subsidiaries are exempt from the ordinance along with all retail and restaurants with existing contracts. Eulen workers say that the living wage would likely be enough if they were able to work full time. Workers say Eulen provides part-time shifts, preventing them from securing a steady second job, and doesn't provide paid sick leave and vacation time.

Barrios and Higgins were joined by representatives from Unite Here, the union that supports workers for airline catering subcontractor Sky Chefs, a labor economist and a representative from a trade organization for airlines. Sky Chefs workers are currently exempt from the county's living wage rule. The average hourly salary for a Miami Sky Chefs worker is $12.25, and only 19% of employees were enrolled in company health insurance in 2018, according to the airline workers' union Unite Here Local 355.

A representative with the airline trade organization Airlines for America, Chris Harrison, told members of Congress that without subcontractors, airlines would not be able to service remote areas.

"Smaller cities will lose service," Harrison said of the possibility of a crackdown on the practice. "If they're not allowed to use subcontractors, they're not going to fly somewhere they're going to lose money at. Smaller communities and mid-size markets could lose service all together."

Higgins told commissioners about her own experience touring MIA with airport workers to confirm stories they had shared with her about unsafe working conditions. This week, Higgins introduced an ordinance that would require Miami-Dade County to consider how companies treat workers when deciding whether to award airport contracts. The ordinance would apply to a handful of companies that provide airport services like baggage handling, cleaning and wheelchair services, including Eulen.

"We will start to rate companies not only under technological qualifications -- they obviously have to meet those -- but we're going to let them compete also on how they treat our residents," Higgins said. "Are they willing to pay a living wage, provide access to healthcare benefits, access to full-time jobs?"

The Miami-Dade County Commission will consider Higgins' ordinance next week.

___

(c)2020 Miami Herald

Visit Miami Herald at www.miamiherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.