Piedmont Airlines Passenger Service and Ramp Workers Picket Nationwide for Livable Wages and Health Care

As a busy holiday travel season approaches, CWA passenger service and ramp workers at the American Airlines subsidiary walked the picket lines for a contract that secures better pay and health care for part-time employees.

On December 16, Piedmont Airlines passenger service and ramp agents—members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA)—walked picket lines at five airports across the country to educate travelers about their fight for a fair collective bargaining agreement that guarantees adequate pay and health care for part-time employees.

Picketing locations included San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Detroit, Mich.; Washington, D.C.; and Norfolk, Va.

“Piedmont Airlines passenger service and ramp agents will be hard at work this busy holiday season, ensuring passengers receive quality service and the support they need to reach their destinations,” said Claude Cummings Jr., President of the Communications Workers of America. “It’s time the company show up for them by negotiating a contract. that recognizes their value to the company. Our entire union stands with them in this fight.”

More than a year after negotiations between Piedmont Airlines and the CWA bargaining team began, the company has yet to respond to critical proposals that will ensure fair pay for passenger service and ramp workers and health care for part-time employees.

"While American Airlines, our parent company, continues to rake in record profits, many Piedmont Airlines workers face challenges this busy holiday season due to low wages,” said Brandon McGimsey, a member of the CWA bargaining committee. "All we ask is for a fair contract that guarantees us living wages and health care.”

CWA members at Piedmont Airlines—a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines—support safe and efficient departures by assisting with pre-flight check in, loading and unloading baggage, guiding planes on the tarmac, and ensuring aircraft are inspected before departure.

###

About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields, including more than 20,000 passenger service agents who work for American Airlines and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Envoy Air and Piedmont Airlines.

cwa-union.org