CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — In protest of what they claim are unlivable pay, service employees at Charlotte Douglas International Airport have gone on strike amid a busy week of Thanksgiving travel.
According to a spokeswoman, the work stoppage in North Carolina started Monday morning, and ABM and Prospect Airport Services employees voted on Friday to approve it.
In a statement released early Monday, representatives of the Service Employees International Union said that the workers will demand dignity at work and an end to poverty wages during the holiday travel season.
American Airlines has a deal with ABM and Prospect Airport Services to provide services like wheelchair escorts, trash removal, and interior cleaning of the aircraft.
Employees claim that they have previously voiced concerns about their increasing incapacity to pay for needs like food and shelter. They talked about working jobs that keep countless planes on schedule while living paycheck to paycheck and not being able to pay for things like auto repairs.
An union ballot drop box is seen at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Image courtesy of Erik Verduzco/Associated Press
Since this is our last option, we are on strike today. In a statement, ABM cabin cleaner Priscilla Hoyle stated, “We can’t continue to live this way.” Our families are unable to subsist, so we are acting.
It was anticipated that several hundred workers would continue the work stoppage on Monday by walking off the job.
According to union leaders, the majority of them make between $12.50 and $19 per hour, which is much less than the living wage for a single individual in the Charlotte area without children.
According to officials at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 1.02 million travelers are projected to exit the airport between last Thursday and the Monday after Thanksgiving, making this holiday travel season the busiest on record.
In addition to walking off the job, striking employees intend to host a Strikesgiving lunch at 1 p.m. and an 11 a.m. protest later this week to replace the Thanksgiving meal that many of them cannot afford, according to union leaders.
According to the union, airport service employees keep airports operational, safe, and clean, which enables vacation travel. Many airport service employees must work two or three jobs to make ends meet, despite playing a crucial part in the profits enjoyed by large firms.
ABM promised to take action to reduce any disturbances caused by any protests.
In a statement released last week, ABM expressed gratitude for the daily efforts made by our team members to support our clients and contribute to the maintenance of hygienic environments and human health.
Last week, Prospect Airport Services stated that it understands the gravity of the strike risk during the peak holiday travel period.
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