JFK security officers threaten holiday strike - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

About 100 non-union JFK Airport security officers say they voted Thursday to authorize a strike set for Thursday, Dec. 20.

It's the start of one of the busiest travel times of the year but it remains unclear how a walkout would impact travelers.

The workers who voted Thursday work for Air Serv.  Workers at another company, Global Elite, plan a Friday vote.

The workers claim their companies are trying to silence them from complaining about passenger and worker security and safety concerns.

The security officers have previously complained about wages, benefits, and efforts to block unionizing.    The workers handle security issues for the facilities, such as directing traffic in front of the terminals and making sure non-passenger areas like the tarmacs are secure.

Air Serv issued a statement to Fox 5 News saying:   "These issues have only just come to our attention this week. We are now in the process of reviewing them. As our policies make clear, we value employees' input on matters of concern to them. Accordingly, we will be speaking with employees on these matters in the days and weeks to come."

Global Elite also issued a statement saying:  "These are the actions of the service workers' union that is making false statements and allegations and not that of our employees. Our employees are and have always been our most valuable asset. Every level of management is in constant dialogue with our trained and professional field staff."

The security officers is being helped by Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ.

The union has also supported several other recent walk-outs by non-union workers at fast food restaurants and car washes.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates JFK Airport, did not comment on the possible strike.