Congressional Representatives Push for Negotiations in SkyHop Strike at NYC Airports

U. S. Representative Nydia Velázquez is leading a congressional effort to urge SkyHop Global, a national airline crew transportation company, to resume negotiations with striking shuttle drivers at New York City’s major airports.

In a letter sent this week, Velázquez and 14 members of the New York Congressional delegation, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Grace Meng, and Gregory Meeks, called on SkyHop CEO Kristine Scotto to “engage in good-faith negotiations” with the striking drivers at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Airports. The drivers have been on strike since November 2023.

SkyHop, which was founded in 2014, provides ground transportation services for airline crew members between airports and nearby hotels. The company currently operates in 33 airports across the U. S. and has contracts with 15 airlines, including major carriers.

The labor dispute began in May of last year when 60 drivers at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark voted to join Teamsters Local 210, sparking a year-long standoff with the company. According to officials close to Velázquez, SkyHop has refused to negotiate in good faith and has retaliated against pro-union workers by cutting hours and terminating employees who supported unionization. Since the union vote, workers have filed 24 unfair labor practice charges against the company.

In response to SkyHop’s behavior, Velázquez’s office stated that the drivers “felt they had no choice but to go on strike. ” The letter also noted that SkyHop has not met with New York drivers at the bargaining table since January 2024.

The congressional letter emphasized the urgent need for resolution in the dispute, which has negatively impacted the workers’ livelihood and disrupted shuttle services for airline crew members. The lawmakers also expressed concern over “aggressive anti-union tactics” used by SkyHop to prevent unionization and cited claims of retaliation and wage and hour violations filed with the New York State Department of Labor.

The letter urged SkyHop to return to the bargaining table and engage in good-faith negotiations with the striking drivers. The congressional representatives emphasized the importance of the drivers’ role in the smooth operation of New York City airports and stated that the workers’ demands for fair pay, job security, and union protection are not radical.

Representative Velázquez stated that it is vital for these workers to receive a fair shake and called for a “fair, respectful process that leads to a real contract. ” SkyHop has not responded to requests for comment.

In addition to the strike in New York, Velázquez’s office reported that there has been a ripple effect, with SkyHop drivers in Las Vegas organizing in April 2025 and requesting recognition from the company. However, SkyHop refused and subsequently fired seven workers.