Workers Strike at 7 Major U.S. Airports
Joe Cortez November 19, 2015
Airport workers at seven airports have gone on strike, demanding $15 per hour as part of new contract
Airport contractors at seven major American airports are demanding a new contract from the picket line, which includes a pay raise to $15 per hour and medical benefits. CNN Money reports the strikes were organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), taking place at all three New York airports, as well as those in Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia.
The strike began Wednesday at all seven airports, with workers picketing in front of airline terminals. At Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), the cleaning workers were joined by other terminal employees demanding increased benefits. At Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Springfield, Ill., ABC affiliate WICS-TV reported over 100 employees went on strike, including select security staff.
“While airlines across the country have been making record profits, the airport workers who make these profits possible are struggling to survive in jobs that pay poverty wages, provide little to no affordable health care, and few paid days off,” a statement posted to the SEIU Local 32BJ website read. “Like fast food workers… airport workers have been organizing for the past three years and have committed to do whatever it takes to win $15 and union rights.”
Despite the strikes, airline operations are continuing as normal. Statements issued by Delta Air Lines, JetBlue and United Airlines to CNN Money claim there have been no major service disruptions as a result of the strike.
“We did not see an impact to our normal operations,” a spokesperson for United told CNN Money in a statement. “We are ensuring our vendors have contingency plans in place to continue to serve our customers.”
Flight tracking website FlightAware.com reports significant delays at all three New York airports, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and ORD. However, many of the situations are attributed to weather-related situations.
[Photo: Twitter/32BJ SEIU]
Wow. What a picture. These people work at airports? This looks like sports fans at a rough and tumble event of some kind. These folks need some PR help.
FIRE them!!
If the poorly-performing US airport workers earn $15/hour, Japanese airport workers should be rewarded with a $30/hour wage, and their performance and work ethic is beyond twice good.
It's America people! What do you expect? You either have money or you don't.