Meet Eddie Phillips

Before Eddie Phillips began delivering mail at the Los Angeles International Airport, he spent decades managing workers at banks and hospitals. Five years ago, Eddie joined 3090 and became a full-time employee of the City of Los Angeles, a position he describes as “the best job I’ve had in my life.” The feeling is mutual: in Feburary 2024, Eddie was named The Employee of the Year in his department.

For Eddie, his colleagues make his daily deliveries a joy. Because he handles both inter-office and airport-wide mail deliveries, he interacts with all levels of the organization, from his fellow unionized coworkers to upper management. He loves treating others to lunch, regardless of their title.

A typical day for him begins at 6:30 a.m., when he sorts incoming packages and mail from the post office for dissemination in electrically-powered vehicles. The 3,650 acres of land that comprise LAX are divided up into two principal delivery zones: the East and the West. For variety, Eddie and his supervisor swap sides of the airport about once a month.

As a former manager who has become a union member, Eddie has developed a philosophy about how managers should recognize and treat their employees.

“Some people think that intimidating people is the best way to get the job done, but it actually isn’t,” he explains. “People will give their best if you give them your best.”

Eddie’s perspective offers an invaluable lesson for managers. “I used to say to my employees, ‘I work for you,’” Eddie says. “They’d always look at me funny, like what are you talking about? And I’d explain: ‘Well, we just have a different job. I need to make sure you’re taken care of, because if you do your job, that takes care of me.”

A view of some of the nearly 6 square miles of LAX.