Airport Workers Demand Action to Address Unsafe Conditions and Protect from Extreme Heat
Airport workers at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) gathered today to demand that Alliance Ground International (AGI), the airport’s service provider, address unsafe working conditions and protect employees from extreme heat and workplace injuries. This call for action was part of a nationwide “Heat Week” initiative organized by 32BJ SEIU, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections for airport workers during the summer months.
32BJ SEIU Vice President Ana Maria Hill emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety in this delicate and skilled work, and pointed out that AGI’s injury rate at EWR is higher than the industry average. She also highlighted the company’s alleged failure to comply with New Jersey’s Healthy Terminals Act, which requires employers to provide necessary resources for their workers to do their jobs safely and support their families.
Workers at the rally shared their firsthand experiences of unsafe working conditions at EWR. They described extreme heat on the tarmac, co-workers falling ill due to heat-related illnesses, and a lack of reliable cooling equipment. Ashley Castillo, an AGI lead office cargo agent, shared how the broken air conditioning in their office has caused her and her co-workers to experience dizziness and lightheadedness, and even forced some to go home due to heat exhaustion. She also revealed that AGI is withholding money owed to workers for healthcare coverage under the Healthy Terminals Act.
In addition to highlighting these unsafe conditions, workers demanded accountability from AGI. They have formally requested access to the OSHA 300 Log, which records workplace injuries and illnesses, to shed light on the scope of heat-related health issues at the airport. Federal law requires AGI to provide this log within one business day of a worker’s request.
The rally also brought attention to broader allegations of misconduct by AGI, including unpaid wages and potential violations of the National Labor Relations Act. These allegations, combined with ongoing safety concerns, create mounting pressure for the company to take action.
Today’s action was part of a larger national campaign where airport workers and allies united in “Heat Week” actions to demand enforceable protections for employees in industries most exposed to extreme weather.
At the Newark rally, workers and union leaders called on AGI to immediately implement meaningful safeguards, including installing adequate cooling equipment, guaranteeing consistent water breaks, and providing fair compensation when heat disrupts work. They also urged the company to invest in training programs to help workers identify and respond to heat-related illnesses. Lastly, they insisted that AGI fully comply with the Healthy Terminals Act and respect workers’ rights under labor law.
AGI is a U. S. owned ground handling company that provides services to over 12,000 employees at 62 airports in the United States and Canada. At EWR, the company employs more than 150 people and provides services to major airlines such as Aero Mexico, British Airways, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and Air India.
In addition to workers