Skycaps Begin Leaflet Campaign At Logan Terminals; Court to Hold Hearing on Legality of 'No Tip' Policy

BOSTON, May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Skycaps at four airlines will begin the Justice for Skycaps Campaign, a "Passenger Awareness Campaign" demanding that the airlines reverse the policy that has caused a drastic cut in their pay, which comes primarily from tips.

Skycaps and their supporters will be leafleting at terminal entrances across Logan Airport appealing to flying public for support in their efforts to get local airlines to change the policy of charging $2 per bag for curbside check-in, which many passengers mistake for their tip, or will not tip in addition to paying the charge. In addition, they will be demanding an end to the "no tip" policy implemented by American Airlines at Boston Logan airport in retaliation to the skycaps' successful wage and hour suit that they won last month in federal court.

The "no tip" policy has converted the job, which many skycaps have held for decades, into a low wage position with almost no benefits. The policy was the subject of a recent lawsuit by Skycaps that won them $325,000 in back pay (for details on the case go to www.massjwj.net). In retaliation against the Skycaps who won the lawsuit, American Airlines began prohibiting Skycaps at Logan Airport in Boston from receiving tips altogether. Tomorrow (May 29) at 2:00 p.m. in the United States District Court in Boston, Judge William Young will hold a hearing on the skycaps' request that the court order the "no tip" policy to be lifted. The court has not yet issued a ruling on the legality of the "no tip" policy.

"We are appealing to travelers, as they are the ones ultimately hurt by the airlines' anti-worker policies. Customer services have languished while fees that only support airline greed skyrocket," said Russ Davis, Executive Director of Jobs With Justice which is organizing support for the Skycaps.

Skycaps and supporters will continue informational leafleting next week as part of a "Justice for Skycaps" campaign that is spreading from Boston to other airports across the country. Skycaps are asking passengers to wear stickers showing their support and to contact the airline that they are flying on to let them know that they support skycaps.

"In light of American Airlines' announcement last week that it will begin charging $15 for the first bag checked by every passenger, it does not make sense that American would insist on continuing to charge $2 in cash for every bag checked by a skycap. After skycaps in Boston sued the airline over this policy and won, you would think American would reconsider this charge that has devastated skycaps, who earn less than minimum wage," said Shannon Liss-Riordan, the lead attorney in the skycaps' successful lawsuit. "While passengers may understand the airline's need to raise ticket prices in light of rising fuel costs, they do not understand why the airlines need to nickel and dime them with ridiculous charges that hurt hard working employees."

                   Leaflet Campaign Begins Thursday, May 29
                            Starting Time: 9:00 AM
                        Starting Location: Terminal B
                                East Boston MA

                 Court Hearing on Skycaps' Retaliation Claim
                          Thursday, May 29, 2:00 PM
                   United States District Court, Boston MA
                                 Courtroom 18