Employees of AGI, a ground handling company at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), recently protested over serious safety and health concerns. These workers, who provide essential services for Spirit Airlines, have filed a formal complaint with Maryland OSHA, highlighting issues ranging from inadequate access to water and shade to faulty equipment and exposure to biohazards.
Key Takeaways
- AGI employees at BWI Airport protested unsafe working conditions.
- A formal complaint was filed with Maryland OSHA citing multiple health and safety violations.
- Allegations include lack of water, faulty vehicle brakes, and biohazard exposure.
- AGI denies the claims, stating no incidents were reported through official channels.
- Union representatives and elected officials are calling for immediate action.
Worker Concerns and Formal Complaint
Approximately 100 AGI workers at BWI Airport's Concourse E are responsible for ticketing, cabin cleaning, ramp baggage handling, and airplane bathroom services for Spirit Airlines. These employees say their employer has not addressed critical health and safety issues, leading them to protest and seek state intervention.
The union representing the workers filed a formal complaint with Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) this week. This complaint details several allegations of unsafe working conditions that workers claim have persisted for years.
Specific Safety Allegations
The formal complaint outlines a range of specific issues. One major concern is the lack of access to water and shade, especially during periods of extreme heat. Workers report needing basic hydration and protection from the sun while performing demanding tasks on the tarmac.
Equipment malfunctions also form a significant part of the complaint. Workers allege that vehicles, such as tugs, have broken seatbelts and faulty brakes. Tyrone Daniels, an AGI worker, stated,
"The emergency brakes on the tug don't work, and if we stop, it will still move. So, that's a problem."This poses a direct risk of accidents and injuries on the busy airport grounds.
Fast Fact
Maryland OSHA received a formal complaint detailing unsafe working conditions from AGI employees at BWI, including claims of faulty vehicle brakes and biohazard exposure.
Biohazard Exposure and Health Risks
Another critical concern raised by the workers involves exposure to human waste. One employee reported being drenched in fecal matter and urine due to a broken line on a waste truck. This worker claims he was then forced to continue working for hours without proper cleaning or decontamination.
According to safety experts, such exposure carries significant health risks. Workers can be exposed to diseases like Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS. Federal standards typically require workers exposed to human waste to be offered vaccinations. The AGI workers allege they have not been offered these vaccinations, putting their health at further risk.
Background on Biohazard Safety
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, specifically the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), mandate protections for workers exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials, which includes human waste. Employers must provide engineering controls, work practice controls, personal protective equipment, and offer Hepatitis B vaccinations to exposed employees. Failure to comply can result in serious citations and penalties.
Calls for Immediate Action
Union representatives, elected officials, and safety experts have voiced strong support for the AGI workers. They are calling for immediate intervention to resolve these long-standing safety issues. Prince George's County Delegate Veronica Turner emphasized the urgency, stating,
"Fix these problems immediately ā not tomorrow. Immediately."
Darryl Alexander, an adviser with the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, added,
"We support the AGI ground workers; they deserve an investigation."These statements highlight the perceived severity of the situation and the need for prompt resolution to ensure worker safety.
Workers report that they have been raising these issues with AGI for at least six years, but little has changed. Tyrone Daniels stated, "We have been telling AGI about these problems for the last six years, but nothing has really happened, and we need results, like, right now." This long history of unresolved complaints underscores the frustration among the workforce.
AGI's Response to Allegations
In response to the protests and formal complaint, AGI issued a statement. The company refutes the claims, asserting that any suggestion it does not take worker safety seriously is false. AGI stated that it is proud of its safety record as an employer.
The company also noted that it has established multiple channels for employees to report safety and other concerns, including a confidential safety and ethics hotline. AGI's statement claims that none of the specific incidents detailed in the union's complaint were reported through these established internal channels.
AGI further suggested that the union's actions are part of a strategy to pressure the company into union representation without allowing employees to decide the issue through a secret ballot process. The company stated its intention to protect its employees' rights and respond to what it termed the union's harassment through proper legal channels.
- AGI maintains it has a strong safety record.
- The company provides confidential reporting options for employees.
- AGI states the union's claims were not reported internally.
- The company views the protest as a union tactic to force representation.
This dispute highlights ongoing tensions between labor and management regarding workplace safety and union representation. The formal complaint filed with Maryland OSHA will likely lead to an investigation into the working conditions at AGI's BWI operations.
