About 300 employees of Sun Country Airlines working for Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport are planning to join Teamsters Local 970, they say to secure better wages, seniority, and respect on the job.
Currently, ramp and related workers at Sun Country Airlines receive a 50-cent raise after 90 days of employment. But wages are subsequently frozen until specific promotions can be realised. In the best-case scenarios, such efforts only typically amount to an extra dollar per hour for any given worker, claims Teamsters.
In addition to frozen wages and limited opportunities for advancement, workers never receive cost-of-living adjustments, adds the union.
Chad Reichow, President of Local 970, said: “Employees deserve to have a voice, and it is our honor to help them be heard. Our goal is to help members secure a contract that benefits their families and reflects their worth."
Joe Ferreira, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division, said: “The turnover rate is significantly high in this class of workers, and that needs to change. We want companies to prosper, but also share the outcome with the folks that make it happen. Take care of our members, and they will take care of you."
Teamsters Local 970 represents more than 1,500 workers in airline and manufacturing.
A Sun Country spokeswoman said: “The carrier respects the right of employees to decide whether they want to be represented by a union. We are reviewing the petition and will provide the information."
This is the second group of Sun Country employees planning to join a union this year.
One Group of Sun Country mechanics voted to unionise in June 2022 unhappy with the wages and work rules. The group elected the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association as their collective bargaining agent. The vote was 75-30 for the union representation of 131 eligible employees.
In December 2022, Sun Country pilots approved a new contract negotiated by their union giving them a good pay rise and an improved scheduling model.