Airport-Parking Workers Seek Respect, Join Local 633

Airport-Parking Workers Seek Respect, Join Local 633

January 1, 2006

Nearly 150 parking workers at Manchester Airport in New Hampshire, seeking respect, dignity and fair wages, among other issues, have overwhelmingly voted to join Local 633.

On December 9, despite a blistering snow storm, the workers at Central Parking Corporation (CPC) made their way to the polling place and voted 76-16 to join Manchester-based Local 633. There are 146 workers in the bargaining unit.

“It was amazing. With blizzard conditions, we had employees contacting one another to carpool in borrowed four-wheel driver vehicles,” said Rick Laughton, Local 633 organizer.

“These workers showed how much they want to have a strong voice by turning out during a blizzard,” said Dave Laughton, Local 633 Secretary-Treasurer. “We will work to provide them with the dignity and respect that they deserve.”

“The cashiers, shuttle bus drivers, mechanics and maintenance workers are also seeking fair wages and improved benefits,” said Roger Travers, an organizer with Joint Council 10. “The workers are also concerned about safety, and we will address that in their first contract.”

“This campaign was a success because it involved such a high level of participation,” Dave Laughton said. “From Joint Council 10, to the local union and the organizing committee, we all took a central role in the coordinating of house calls and member-to-member interaction in the streets. This was all pulled together using the back drop of the Hoffa administration’s organizing plan.”

The workers have met to discuss contract proposals, and Local 633 is waiting to hear back from the company about negotiation dates for a first contract.

CPC is the world’s largest parking service provider. CPC manages 3,400 facilities at major airports, Hyatt and Westin hotels and other locations in 37 states and 14 countries.