When the San Diego Airport Authority announced its plans to redevelop and expand the terminal area of SAN-Lindbergh Field one year ago, it caused many UFCW-represented workers at the airport to worry. This redevelopment included an option for the Airport Authority to subcontract jobs in the terminal area away from union-represented workers, including UFCW Local 135 members who staff the retail gift shops. As part of the restructuring, these workers would have had to reapply for jobs they already had and possibly lose union representation.

UFCW Local 135 joined the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, Unite Here and the San Diego Teamsters in calling for the Airport Authority Board to put strong worker-retention language into the redevelopment plans. This language would ensure that the workers would keep their jobs through the expansion process and remain part of their respective unions.

Guy Andolina, the airport workers’ UFCW union representative, noted that success didn’t come easily. “At the beginning, we didn’t have the votes on the Airport Board we needed for worker-retention,” he said. “At the April 5 meeting, we knew we had some work to do.”

UFCW Local 135 began handbilling the main airport and commuter terminals, passing out “Save our Jobs” buttons and asking the traveling public to support the workers’ cause. Local 135 officers met with members of the Airport Authority Board to explain their members’ position. UFCW Local 135 President Mickey Kasparian asked members to join in the multi-union Keep SD Airport Working campaign and sign a petition supporting a well-thought-out transition plan for workers affected by the terminal changes.