Idaho

Labor board rules workers at Boise's Swissport Cargo Services can hold election to unionize – Idaho Capital Sun

Published

1 year ago

January 17, 2024

Labor board rules workers at Boise's Swissport Cargo Services can hold election to unionize – Idaho Capital Sun

The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that workers at the Boise location of Swissport Cargo Services, an international aviation service company, can vote on whether they want to unionize.

The elections will take place Jan. 18 and 19 after the labor relations board denied a jurisdictional dispute filed by the company. The workers will hold the election to decide whether the General Teamsters, Warehousemen and Helpers Local 483 union will represent the cargo warehouse agents, loadmasters and traffic office agents employed by Swissport at the Boise Airport, according to a Jan. 2 letter from a local representative of the labor relations board.

Swissport is a Switzerland-based aviation services company providing airport passenger services, lounge hospitality and cargo handling services, according to its website. Its headquarters are located in Zürich, Switzerland. Active in 44 countries with around 57,000 employees worldwide, its Boise location primarily handles Amazon packages and mail, according to two Boise location workers.

According to the letter, Swissport argued that the case should be referred to the National Mediation Board for an advisory opinion.

The National Mediation Board is an agency of the U.S. government that coordinates labor-management relations within the U.S. railroads and airlines industries. This jurisdictional claim arises under the Railroad Labor Act, a 1926 law designed to discourage labor strikes and lockouts in the transportation sector to avoid economic disruption, according to Union Facts.

According to the letter, a hearing officer of the National Labor Relations Board conducted a hearing, and the parties filed briefs. Region 27 director Matthew Lomax considered the evidence and arguments presented by the parties, and he found that the National Labor Relations Board has jurisdiction over Swissport.

“Although the services provided by Swissport are the type of work traditionally performed by employees of air carriers, the record indicates that the Employer is a third-party contractor with full responsibility for its employees,” Lomax wrote.

Swissport workers allege union busting practices, while company spokesman says it encourages workers to vote

Two cargo warehouse workers in favor of the union drive, Derek Bellas, 23, and Hayden Rippey, 23, said the company attempted to stall the election by claiming the jurisdictional dispute after workers filed for an election in October.

That’s in addition, Bellas and Rippey said, to other tactics the company reportedly used to prevent a union from forming, such as providing false information about unions, hosting anti-union meetings during work hours and a supervisor tearing up union materials in the break room.

The Idaho Capital Sun attempted to reach Swissport Boise location general manager Scott Monk, the Swissport human resources department and a Swissport media contact for comment. Swissport did not respond to specific concerns raised by the workers.

However, Swissport spokesperson Stefan Hartung said in an emailed statement that the company does have “an engaged and enthusiastic workforce.”

“We respect all workers’ rights, including the right to unionize if they chose,” Hartung said in the statement. “We look forward to continuing our tradition of engaging directly with our team to discuss all aspects of their work. Swissport strongly encourages all of our Boise employees to vote. Whatever the outcome, we will continue to honor their wishes.”

In an interview with the Idaho Capital Sun, Rippey said the lack of representation in their workplace is what led him to become involved with the union drive.

Why some Boise workers support the unionization effort

“We have no representation,” Rippey said. “We don’t file grievances, because who do you file a grievance to? There’s no on-site HR person, or they bring people in who are HR. And what they tell you is we’re here to talk about a union and we want you to vote for a union, which (Swissport wasn’t) letting us have for months.”

Bellas told the Sun in a telephone interview that the high turnover rate at the Boise Swissport location is what originally made him interested in the union drive. He said the company hires more people than they have payroll for, leading the company to reduce hours for workers.

“So every morning you come in, and then there’s, you know, half a dozen, 10 or more people that they just need to send home every day that don’t get their hours, and they waste gas money,” Bellas said. “And you know with the skyrocketing cost of living, it’s just kind of ridiculous. A number of my coworkers are working second jobs that I know of, there’s at least one person that’s working three jobs, and it’s really killing her.”

The work schedule to unload planes starts at 10:30 p.m. and ends at 6:30 a.m., according to Bellas and Rippey.

Bellas said the union effort is not just about working with people at Swissport to improve working conditions, but setting a precedent for democratically structured worker representation across the country.

“That’s something that I personally believe in,” Bellas said. “You know, we’re contracting for a big company like Amazon, and I think it’s ridiculous that some people can barely afford to live … working a full time job. Corporate, they’ve done everything to fight us that they legally can do.”

Bellas said 70% of Swissport workers signed union cards and that the jurisdictional dispute was a way for the company to delay their election. He also said captive audience meetings where “union busters” came in to dissuade people from voting in indirect ways, such as claiming Amazon would drop their contract with the company if workers voted to unionize.

That didn’t make sense to Bellas, who said other Swissport locations have unionized with no contracts being dropped.

After organizing in 2018, a group of more than 150 Swissport aircraft fuelers at SeaTac International Airport ratified a three-year contract with Teamsters Local 174 in 2022. There have been no public reports of Amazon severing their contract with Swissport in Seattle.

Another issue raised by Rippey and Bellas is how union material in the break room was torn up and thrown away by a supervisor. Bellas said that the same supervisor told workers that Amazon would drop the contract if they voted to unionize.

Rippey said that event became a joke around the workplace about how the company felt about workers’ First Amendment rights.

“That’s what scares a lot of people is that they can just get away with it,” Rippey said.

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Idaho

Protesters rally at Idaho State Capitol against ICE enforcement

Published

3 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Press Room

Protesters rally at Idaho State Capitol against ICE enforcement

BOISE, Idaho — Dozens of demonstrators gathered on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol Wednesday evening, chanting and holding signs calling for an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions.

The Boise protest was one of many that took place across the country in response to mass ICE arrests, the deployment of the National Guard in cities like Los Angeles, and growing unrest surrounding federal immigration enforcement.

Organizers promoted the event online as an “emergency protest,” urging participants to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities and against what they described as a national crackdown.

“What brought me out today was just seeing and hearing about all of the horrible things going on in Los Angeles right now, on top of everything that we already know that’s been happening in this country,” one attendee said.

The protest drew a wide range of participants, including those with direct connections to immigrant communities.

WATCH: CNN reporter detained on live TV during LA immigration protests

“There are people here because they or their families are immigrants who are facing the fear that this campaign of terror is really intending to inflict,” said Morrighan Nyx, one of the event organizers. “The community really came out to show that even here in Boise, Idaho, the people are not going to sit back and let our communities be terrorized.”

Another demonstrator described the tone of the rally as both empowering and unifying. “I think it was really inspiring. Honestly, it was positive, but also strong. I feel like a lot of strength and unity happened, for sure.”

The protest remained peaceful. Organizers say they plan to gather again at the Capitol on Saturday.

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Idaho

Secretary Rollins Signs State Waivers to Make America Healthy Again by Removing Unhealthy Foods from SNAP in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah in Addition to Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska

Published

24 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Press Room

Secretary Rollins Signs State Waivers to Make America Healthy Again by Removing Unhealthy Foods from SNAP in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah in Addition to Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska

WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., signed three new food choice waivers to Make America Healthy Again. The signed waivers will amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah, each commencing in 2026.

“The Trump Administration is unified in improving the health of our nation. America’s governors have proudly answered the call to innovate by improving nutrition programs, ensuring better choices while respecting the generosity of the American taxpayer. Each waiver submitted by the states and signed is yet another step closer to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Rollins.

“Thank you to the governors of Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, Utah, Iowa, and Nebraska for their bold leadership and unwavering commitment to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Kennedy. “I call on every governor in the nation to submit a SNAP waiver to eliminate sugary drinks—taxpayer dollars should never bankroll products that fuel the chronic disease epidemic.”

Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy were joined at the event by Governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Governor of Indiana Mike Braun.

“This approval sends a clear message: President Trump and his administration are tackling America’s chronic disease epidemic and Arkansas stands with him in that fight,” said Governor Sanders. “I am incredibly grateful for Secretary Rollins’ quick approval of our waiver. Arkansas leads the nation in getting unhealthy, ultra-processed foods off food stamps and helping our most vulnerable citizens lead healthier lives.”

“Indiana is proud to be a leader in the Make America Healthy Again initiative, and I’m proud to join Secretary Rollins, Secretary Kennedy, Congressman Baird, and my fellow Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today to discuss returning SNAP to its proper purpose of nutrition, and how my Make Indiana Healthy Again agenda supports Indiana agriculture and empowers Hoosiers to live longer, healthier lives,” said Governor Braun.

Prior to these waivers, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods, and personal care products. This historic action expands the list of products excluded from SNAP purchases in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. Arkansas’ waiver excludes soda, low and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, other unhealthy drinks, and candy, and it will take effect July 1, 2026. The waiver for Idaho excludes soda and candy, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. The waiver for Utah excludes soft drinks, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. Secretary Rollins has previously signed waivers for Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana.

“Idaho proudly welcomes the MAHA movement because it is all about looking for new ways to improve nutrition, increase exercise, and take better care of ourselves and one another, especially our children. We are excited to partner with the Trump administration in bringing common sense to the government’s food assistance program with the approval of our SNAP waiver,” said Governor Brad Little.

At the direction of President Trump, Secretary Rollins is ensuring programs work harder to encourage healthy eating and improved lifestyle habits while protecting taxpayer dollars. On Secretary Rollins’ first full day in office, she sent a letter to the nation’s governors (PDF, 88.8 KB), outlining her vision for the Department and inviting them to participate in a new “Laboratories of Innovation” initiative to create bold solutions to long-ignored challenges. Secretary Rollins and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote an opinion piece in USA Today outlining their plan to Make America Healthy Again, including through SNAP waivers like the ones signed today.

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Idaho

Idaho Fish and Game warns locals about rattlesnakes

Published

2 days ago

June 10, 2025

Press Room

Idaho Fish and Game warns locals about rattlesnakes

JEROME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — If you plan to spend any time enjoying nature this summer, make sure you keep your eyes and ears open for our slithery friends.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game stated that rattlesnakes are more active this time of year, and you can find them throughout the Gem State.

Office Services Supervisor Kenzie Baratti said the best way to tell if a rattlesnake is in the area is by listening for its tell-tale rattle. She added that rattlesnakes inhabit sagebrush deserts, forests and grasslands, as well as near water sources.

Rattlesnake bites are venomous and can be deadly. They tend to bite if they feel threatened, so avoiding them altogether is the best way to keep them safe.

“Staying on designated trails, keeping dogs on leash and then also watching your step,” Baratti said. “If you are kind of veering off somewhere, watch where you step into deep sagebrush, watch where you put your hand so you don’t potentially step or touch where a rattlesnake could be.”

If you encounter a rattlesnake, back away slowly and give the snake some space. If you are bitten, seek medical help immediately.

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