Yesterday, a group of non-unionized workers from AGI, who service aircraft for Spirit Airlines at BWI-Marshall Airport, made their distress public with a demonstration that caught the eyes of departing travelers. They held signs and chanted "Safety first, worker safety first," as reported by WBALTV. The protest stemmed from serious health and safety concerns that have allegedly been ignored by their employer for years, including but not limited to, insufficient access to water and shade during extreme heat, faulty vehicles with broken seat belts and bad brakes.
One alarming incident involved an AGI employee, Matt Schaal, who, according to a FOX Baltimore report, was sprayed with human waste while working and was forced to continue handling luggage for an additional seven hours, following the distressing event. In solidarity with the afflicted staff, Maryland elected officials have called on Maryland Occupational Safety and Health to conduct an investigation. AGI workers and their supporters stand united in their request for immediate redressal of these egregious working conditions.
Speakers at a press conference underscored the gravity of the situation; one AGI employee, Tyrone Daniels, told FOX Baltimore, "There was a guy a couple weeks ago..a couple months ago actually who passed out because it was hot," emphasizing that their work is indispensable, "Without us, it's not going to happen," he said. "We’re pretty much a major aspect to how everything works."
Amidst these allegations, AGI has denied any negligence and maintains that safety is a priority within the company; in a statement, they refute the claims and defend their safety record and reporting systems, asserting, "Any suggestion that AGI does not take seriously the safety and working condition of its employees at BWI is false," emphasizing that no such incidents were reported through their established channels, the statement was detailed by WBALTV report.
The company further accused the union of attempting to coerce workers into unionization without a secret ballot, promising to uphold the rights of their employees against what they term as the union's harassment.
