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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.
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
TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
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1
posted on
11/24/2001 9:24:46 PM PST
by
KQQL
To: KQQL
To: KQQL
This is rich! The democraps weaseled their law past Congress, making the screeners federal employees...only problem is, to work for the federal government, you have to be a US citizen.
Now every one of these jokers will have to fill out forms listing their life histories in some detail, and if they happen to be here illegally, or have felony records, or a few other juicy details, well, betcha somebody finds out!
I'd love to be able to sit out there and watch this one unfold.
To: KQQL
To the idiot screeners who helped create this mess:
Too bad.
Any idiot can see a gun in an X-ray picture. But then again, going from asking people about "super-sizing" their meals to security is truely one hell of a leap.
To: KQQL
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." Who friggin' cares?
If the unions want to strike in support of non-citizens airport screeners then fire them all.
5
posted on
11/24/2001 9:40:02 PM PST
by
Jorge
To: newsperson999
I think one has to be an American Citzen to work for the Federal Govt.
They wanted a Rat bill, now they can ask them to feed them too.
6
posted on
11/24/2001 9:40:27 PM PST
by
KQQL
To: KQQL
boo hoo
I hate the fact they wanna federalize these people (can McDonalds be far behind?) but they cry over citienship?? ugh... its one of the few things in the law I agreed with!
7
posted on
11/24/2001 9:40:39 PM PST
by
GeronL
To: Nuke'm Glowing
the screeners didn't get us in this mess... there was no law against bringing a box-cutter on the plane.. or a knife. The INS messed up, they are already federalized.
8
posted on
11/24/2001 9:42:28 PM PST
by
GeronL
To: Nuke'm Glowing
although they are idiots...
9
posted on
11/24/2001 9:43:23 PM PST
by
GeronL
To: KQQL
San Francisco Airport Workers Upset They May Lose Jobs Over Citizenship Ohh! Boo-hoo!
FLICK! NEXT...
To: KQQL
This kid is good. World's smallest violin, world's smallest Violinist, masterfully playing, "My heart cries for San Francisco Airport Workers." Pity FR has no sound capability; I'm sure this will be a hit song.
To: hinckley buzzard
It must be fun flying out of Detroit, and being a native born American, and have to get patted down and searched by a swarthy middle-eastern male, probably here illegally, sheesh!
To: KQQL
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. I don't think this is too much to ask.. As a matter of fact.. I like it.
To: KQQL
Do they want
to go with that whine? It's always nice to see where one's loyalties lie.
To: KQQL
The new federal law requires all security screeners to become U.S. citizens within a year. ... as many as 80 percent of the 1,200 screeners at SFO are legal residents, not citizens. Oh My Gosh. What a gaggle of whiners.
Let's see, which to choose?
Citizenship
.....v.
Losing my job
Hmmmmm.
That should be a no brainer. If they hate being US citizens (read the Congressional intent in this legislation: "we want your loyalty, sworn in an oath to the US"), why don't they go home? Pouring salt into the cut, they want to force the airline industry to suffer massive slowdowns to make their point that they are such worthwhile workers they shouldn't have to submit to US laws? Yeah, that would win them major points with the boss all right.
To: KQQL
This is the kind of story that causes the rest of the world to laugh its a..s off at the US.
The very thought that non-citizens are allowed to work in positions which involve major security issues risks international ridicule for America.
To: KQQL
Ah the Global Village! What a pile of Bovine Excrement!
To: GretchenEE
I pray that every single of those airport workers that do not love this nation will get an urge to leave! Non-citizens who have no love for America should be going back home, presto! And let's push for Americans to take back all the gas stations that have been managed by arabs. Is this America, or is this a holding tank for the undesirables from elsewhere?
18
posted on
11/24/2001 10:05:09 PM PST
by
Hila
To: KQQL
Oh my GOD!
I DID read this article right!!!
To: KQQL
If they only become citizens to keep their jobs what good will that do? It seems to me they would be better off to make sure they hired only citizens to begin with.
Sounds harsh, but these are harsh times, and if Willie Brown is for something, I am always certain to be against it.
He has done so much good for the homeless and unemployed in SF that they are lying all over the streets begging for money from tourists. It is quite the sight seeing thrill, believe me. (BG)
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