Airport Workers Will Propose Better Safety, Less Wait, and Cheaper Ticket Prices for Airport

Wayne County Airport Authority has made poor financial decisions which has led to their current situation

DETROIT, Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A number of American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local Unions that represent workers at the Wayne County Airport announced today that they will propose ways to ensure better airport safety, less waiting for planes, and cheaper airplane ticket prices.

With recent turmoil, management decision making, an ongoing federal probe and contract negotiations soon to start, airport workers wanted to ensure the public needs were put into the forefront.

"As people who are airline customers and also work on frontlines at the airport, we want to ensure better airplane safety, keep planes running on time and decreasing airplane ticket costs," said Richard Johnson, spokesperson for airport workers.

"With the main airline carrier Delta making huge profits in a down economy, the Wayne County Airport Authority's (WCAA) inability to make sound financial decisions has led to its current financial situation." said Johnson. "Airport workers who have shared in the sacrifice, will continue to figure out ways to improve the public's experience at airports in spite of the poor management."

According to the WCAA's own numbers, the facts on the ground show the reality of the situation.  Union airport workers wages are down 6% with benefits costing 12% more to workers.  All the while, management wages are up 2% and private contractors' wages are up 32.5%.  Richard Johnson said, "Why with all the recent turmoil with the WCAA director and board members, there is a need to investigate further how are management wages figured and how can they be going up in tough economic times while asking frontline workers to continue to be cut."  The announcement of a recent federal probe into Wayne County has many people in the public talking about corruption and favoritism at the top levels.  This also begs the question of whether good financial decisions overall are being made.  Recently Delta airlines received about $9 million dollars from WCAA and now WCAA has proposed cuts in services and jobs.

People can help ensure better airport safety, less waiting for planes, and cheaper airplane ticket prices by voicing their concerns at the Wayne County Airport Authority Board Meeting at 1:30 p.m. this Wednesday in the Lindberg Ballroom at Westin Hotel at the airport.

SOURCE Michigan AFSCME Council 25, AFL-CIO