Employees at NYC Airports Demand Better Safety Conditions

Numerous workers at New York City airports are reportedly facing dangerous working conditions, which they claim put their lives at risk. This alarming situation was highlighted during a recent rally.

On Friday, Alliance Ground International (AGI) employees gathered outside John F. Kennedy Airport to voice their frustrations, sharing unsettling experiences related to their jobs in runway and tarmac services. They expressed a deep dissatisfaction with how they are treated by their employer.

One ramp agent, John Mosquera, who has been with AGI at LaGuardia Airport for almost two years, stated, “Every day, I come to work worrying about whether I will return home safely. Much of the equipment we use is worn out, broken, and, honestly, unsafe.”

Mosquera, who lives in the Bronx, recounted an incident from last summer when he fainted due to the extreme heat while loading luggage onto a non-air-conditioned plane.

“No one should have to put their health or safety on the line just to earn a meager paycheck. Everyone deserves to work with dignity and return home to their families. No bag, no plane, and no company is worth our lives,” he remarked.

The rally followed the filing of two alarming complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) by SEIU Local 32BJ on behalf of 21 different AGI workers at JFK and LaGuardia.

These complaints pointed to various issues, including faulty brakes, frequent injuries, vehicle breakdowns, unsafe working conditions, inadequate mirrors on vehicles, and insufficient training.

Recent reports indicate that AGI was added to the Council for Occupational Safety and Health’s (COSH) “Dirty Dozen” list—a compilation of companies with notable workplace safety issues.

At JFK, employees reportedly face dangers like working up to 30 feet in the air without any fall protection, according to the lawsuit. Meanwhile, at LaGuardia, workers are allegedly required to share protective gear and face shields that rarely get cleaned, often having to use them around plane toilet tanks.

Shadekia Mercer, who spent two years working in the gangway and baggage area at LaGuardia before being laid off, shared her concerns: “AGI doesn’t care about its workers. It’s all about the money for them. This winter has been tough—my co-workers and I worked countless hours in freezing temperatures. Regardless of how we felt, we had to show up for work because our families depend on us.”

Mercer also criticized AGI’s lack of empathy, especially during the layoffs when many coworkers are still waiting for their paychecks.

She voiced that, “We’re still trying to reclaim the paid leave we’ve earned. People have families, bills, and responsibilities—everyone deserves to be treated like a human being.”

This situation comes shortly after AGI’s inclusion on COSH’s “Dirty Dozen” list, a clear signal of their troubling safety record.

Charlene Obernauer, executive director of the New York State Occupational Safety and Health Commission, explained that AGI’s issues span beyond just faulty machinery and injuries—it also includes risks from extreme heat and inadequate training.

In a recent case, Garvey Barrett, a baggage handler at LaGuardia, filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board after being suspended for asking for water during a severe heat wave in 2025.

“We’re at this critical point because the workers at JFK and LaGuardia are literally fighting for their lives,” stated Manny Pastreich, president of SEIU Local 32BJ. “Workplace safety is crucial, and this is a wake-up call for AGI. Today marks a significant step as these shocking statements will undergo investigation.”