I missed that about the airline security people being illegals.
Where did you hear about it?
San Francisco Airport Workers Upset They May Lose Jobs Over Citizenship
AP Breaking news ^ | 11/24/2001 | Karen Gaudette Associated Press Writer
Posted on 11/24/2001 9:24:45 PM PST by KQQL
San Francisco Airport Workers Upset They May Lose Jobs Over Citizenship
By Karen Gaudette Associated Press Writer
Published: Nov 24, 2001
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Security screeners at San Francisco International Airport are upset that they could lose their jobs under a new federal law requiring them to gain U.S. citizenship, and the city's mayor has offered to intervene. Some workers have threatened a sickout Sunday that could create kinks as travelers return from the biggest travel weekend of the year. But airport and union officials said the majority of workers were expected to report to work.
"We understand from the union that they're confident there won't be any type of action," airport duty manager Bob Rotiski said Saturday. "The union has a good feel for what the employees are going to do, and they've assured us that they're not going to walk out."
SFO spokesman Ron Wilson said workers' supervisors would fill in for employees who do not come to work.
The new federal law requires all security screeners to become U.S. citizens within a year. Leaders of Service Employees International Union Local 790 say as many as 80 percent of the 1,200 screeners at SFO are legal residents, not citizens. Those not already on the cusp of attaining citizenship could lose their jobs, said Daz Lampares, SFO representative for the union.
(My memory from the time period recalls that this 80% figure WAS NOT limited to the San Francisco airport. SF, Denver, Dulles and serveral others were in the same boat.)
Union leaders say they hope workers stay on the job Sunday and let SFO director John Martin and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown negotiate with Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta on a plan that would allow the busiest airports to employ some non-citizens.
The mayor "has definitely indicated he would try to talk with federal officials," said Brown's spokesman, P.J. Johnston. "This is not a typical labor issue where the workers have a beef with management. This is a situation that's been handed down from the federal government."
Johnston said no meeting has been scheduled and he is unsure what type of plan Brown would submit.
Wilson said airport officials empathize with the workers, but worry a walkout would shut down the airport and hurt chances of a compromise. AP-ES-11-24-01 2054EST
Over 80 Southern California airport workers arrested
USA TODAY ^ | 8/23/02 | AP
Posted on 08/23/2002 9:50:25 PM PDT by kattracks
Dozens Arrested In Airport Worker Sweep
News 2 Houston ^ | 9/9/02 | N/A
Posted on 09/09/2002 6:26:32 PM PDT by Tancredo Fan
110 Denver Airport Workers Arrested
The Associated Press ^ | SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 | COLLEEN LONG
Posted on 09/17/2002 8:17:08 PM PDT by Willie Green
Problem Not limited to the United States
Illegal immigrants arrested in British airport security scare
Agence France-Presse | 9/04/02
Posted on 09/04/2002 6:02:49 AM PDT by kattracks
I believe that my comment about a large percentage being illegals might have been a inaccurate statement. What is revealed is bad enough in my opinion. Did you know upwards of 80% of screeners were non-citizens at some airports? I found that astounding at the time. If remember correctly, one airport back east had over 90% non-citizen screeners.