Petition drive leads to fair overtime vote in a Fort Worth suburb
Workers at LSG Sky Chefs, the city’s largest employer, upset that they often must work overtime hours without advance notice, launched a successful petition drive to get an initiative on the November ballot calling for fair overtime practices.
On Tuesday, the Euless City Council voted unanimously to call the Nov. 3 special election, but there were concerns that if voters approve the measure, Euless could face legal challenges.
Sky Chefs provides food and beverages to airlines, including Ameircan Airlines at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
According to a news release, the employees submitted petitions with 1,280 signatures from registered voters which met the requirements to get the initiative on the ballot. If approved, companies in Euless with over 200 employees would have to allow workers the opportunity to decline overtime work without penalty except for an emergency. In case of emergency, the company must pay a premium wage for forced overtime, and provide a written work schedule 10 days in advance.
Sky Chefs employees who spoke during Tuesday’s meeting described how the practice of requiring them to work overtime with little notice created hardships for their families.
Paulin Yakasa, a Sky Chefs employee who has worked for the company for five years and who said he is also a pastor in Euless, said when he has to work extra hours with little notice, he can’t spend time with his family or visit members of his congregation.
“This mandatory overtime affects my life and ministry,” he said during the council meeting. “I am fighting for my freedom. Today, it feels like I’m not free when Sky Chefs imposes mandatory overtime on me.”
Another employee, Leticia Gomez, told the city council that she is a single mom who must scramble when it is time to pick up her children from school. Sometimes, her daughter must wait until 6 p.m., Gomez said.
“It made me feel really bad; I cried,” she said.
LSG Sky Chefs said in an emailed statement to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the employees’ overtime concerns are in negotiations.
“The union is requesting that a local city council intervene in a matter that is already addressed in our Master National Agreement (MNA) negotiated between the company and union under the Railway Labor Act. The company assigns or requests overtime in accordance with the terms of the MNA. The company is currently engaged in negotiations with the union with the assistance of a federal mediator and the bargaining table is the appropriate venue to address this matter,” according to the company.
City attorney Wayne Olsen told council members that if voters approve the fair overtime resolution, it could lead to lawsuits. He said that Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote a letter “strongly opposing” the resolution because it violates the Texas Minimum Wage Act and the Municipal Airport Act.
Austin, San Antonio and Dallas adopted resolutions requiring their largest employers to have mandatory sick leave policies.
Austin’s requirement for employers to have sick leave was challenged in court, and the case is now in the Texas Supreme Court.
Euless Councilman Harry Zimmer said he is obligated to vote in favor of calling the special election, but he is also concerned about the ramifications if there is a legal challenge.
“You can decide on what’s fair for people who are working at Sky Chefs….” Zimmer said, referring to voters.
“I am not punting; I’m saying that this involves all of us.” Zimmer said.
Zimmer also asked if Euless will have to establish a labor relations board to monitor whether employers are complying with the overtime rules if voters approve the initiative.