A Step Towards Justice For SuperShuttle Drivers

In a giant step toward workplace justice for SuperShuttle drivers at Denver International Airport, the National Labor Relations Board Region 27 issued a consolidated complaint against SuperShuttle on Tuesday.

"It's been a nightmare for the past six months," said Negede Assafa, a longtime driver who was illegally fired. "We think the NLRB did the right thing on behalf of us. We're not asking for anything special. We don't want to take advantage of the company. We want to coexist and make money with them."

The 100 drivers began organizing in 2009, and in 2011, they overwhelmingly voted to join CWA Local 7777, becoming the first unit of SuperShuttle drivers under the franchise system to win recognition as regular employees from the NLRB. But SuperShuttle and French parent company Transdev (formerly Veolia Transdev) have fought back viciously, attempting to block the drivers from forming a union by labeling them "independent contractors" and then refusing to bargain a fair contract. SuperShuttle tripled drivers' fees, imposed arbitrary fines, began firing and suspending drivers for minor infractions and increased surveillance.

The NLRB regional will pursue action against SuperShuttle for violating drivers' rights by illegally firing several drivers, illegally imposing a sham contract on the drivers that resulted in a 30 percent cut in take-home pay, slashing hours, conducting illegal surveillance of the drivers and other complaints.

As a remedy, the NLRB General Counsel will recommend that all drivers be "made whole" and compensated for their financial losses. Drivers previously had been able to work 60 or more hours a week and could keep 62 percent of all generated fares. Under the sham contract, drivers were limited to 40 hours of work per week and were paid just $10-$11.50 per hour. The General Counsel is calling for the reinstatement of previous work rules that enabled drivers to use their own vans and set their own schedules.

The General Counsel also will seek an order requiring the reinstatement of drivers Farid Lahlali, Abdulkadir Kasahun, Abdelkrim "Karim" Aouinat and others who were fired over SuperShuttle's imposed attendance policy. The hearing before an administrative law judge is scheduled to begin on Jan. 13, 2015.

The regional office action comes as the Denver community continues to rally around the drivers and support their cause. The Denver Workers' Rights Board, composed of elected officials, clergy and community and civil rights leaders, is calling for fair treatment for the SuperShuttle drivers.

Many of the drivers are immigrants from North Africa who now are U.S. citizens. They came to the U.S. to build a better life for themselves and their families. These workers want a shot at the American dream. They believe that with hard work they should be able to make a living and provide for their family.

The drivers will finally have their day in court and justice will soon be served.