Mayor Kasim Reed announced that the Atlanta City Council voted unanimously to pass the ‘Worker Retention’ ordinance for food, beverage and retail service workers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The ordinance will provide meaningful job security for thousands of airport workers who live and work in the City of Atlanta.

“I am pleased that the Atlanta City Council voted unanimously for this ordinance.  There’s no reason why workers who have the seniority, expertise and strong customer service skills should be displaced when new companies are selected for concessions contracts,” said Mayor Reed. “As the largest employer in the State of Georgia, Hartsfield-Jackson will now provide job security to thousands of airport employees and give them with the opportunity to continue to provide for their families.”

The Reed Administration worked closely with UNITE HERE Local 23 to ensure the passage of the ordinance.  Under the ordinance, companies that are awarded new concessions contracts at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will be required to retain workers of a former employer for a 90-day trial period.  The workers must pass background checks, as well as drug and alcohol testing.  The ordinance ensures that qualified displaced workers receive the first opportunity to jobs provided by the new contractor.

“The job security that this Worker Retention ordinance will provide is incredibly important to me and my family,” said Robert Davis, a bartender at ATL’s Café Intermezzo and member of the labor union UNITE HERE Local 23, “Before the ordinance passed today, there was a real chance that I could have lost my job when my employer’s contract with the City expires next year. That was scary, because I work to support my daughter. With this victory, now I know that my job is safe, and that I’ll continue to be able to provide for my family and keep the lifestyle that I’ve worked hard for.”

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world’s most traveled and most efficient airport, serving more than 101 million passengers annually with nonstop service to more than 150 U.S. destinations and nearly 70 international destinations in more than 45 countries.  Hartsfield-Jackson boasts a direct economic impact of $34.8 billion in metro Atlanta and a total direct economic impact of $70.9 billion in Georgia.  The Airport is the largest employer in Georgia, with more than 63,000 employees.