Bittings said the healthcare and benefits offered by FFG have benefitted him and his family throughout his entire career. "Everything changed with time but for the most part, it works for me. It helped me and my family."
FFG, in partnership with Rush Medical, operates an on-site health clinic at O'Hare International Airport. The clinic offers a range of medical services at no cost to employees, including primary care, health screenings, and vaccinations. Bittings, who has used the O'Hare clinic, praised its convenience and value.
"I went there and had a blood pressure test, and the general daily operation that you might need, it worked. It’s free!" he said.
However, Bittings said the local union’s, Unite Here Local 1, has not supported employees, particularly regarding promises made during the union’s arrival. “They came in with the false pretense that they were going to get us more money and free health insurance,” Bittings said. "Since they've been in there, I haven't received a raise. We used to get a raise every year, but now—nothing."
"They need to stop telling these people false information," Bittings said in response to recent news that the union is increasing their dues for members. "How do you want to raise union dues and we haven't received a raise since they've been in there?"
Bittings also criticized the union's involvement in everyday workplace matters, saying he preferred handling issues directly with supervisors rather than through a union representative. "I liked it better when I can go to my boss and supervisors and people of high authority and talk. Now, we have to have a union rep with us."
"I’ll talk to them myself," Bitting said. "I've been doing it all these years."