Protest Erupts Near Sky Harbor as Employee Claims Firing for Union Advocacy

Cecelia Ortiz claims she was fired from her job at Prospect Airport Services after raising concerns about work conditions. Her outspoken advocacy for better treatment of workers has sparked significant controversy in Phoenix.

On Tuesday, workers gathered near Sky Harbor International Airport to protest Ortiz’s termination. Many were her former colleagues who described her as a dedicated passenger service assistant, always willing to help senior travelers navigate their journeys.

Ortiz believes her activism, particularly her involvement with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), played a crucial role in her dismissal. “This termination came because of how active I’ve been with SEIU,” she stated.

During her tenure, Ortiz was vocal about key issues facing workers, including unaffordable healthcare and the need for higher wages. She was instrumental in advocating for a heat safety ordinance that the Phoenix City Council recently passed, which mandates that contractors like Prospect provide access to cool drinking water, shaded work areas, and hydration breaks.

Despite the new legislation, Ortiz asserts that her employer failed to implement necessary changes, leading her to stage protests at Sky Harbor. “I’ve always been a voice for my co-workers,” she added, underscoring her commitment to advocating for labor rights.

Tuesday’s protest featured more than a dozen supporters, including Phoenix City Council member Betty Guardado, who described Ortiz’s situation as “very unjust.” The demonstrators sought to speak with Prospect’s management, but after a brief conversation, they were asked to leave the office.

As they exited, the group continued their chants, amplifying their demands for Ortiz’s reinstatement. 12News reached out to Prospect Airport Services for a comment regarding Ortiz’s firing but had not received a response at the time of publication.