By Redacción
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Workers responsible for cleaning airplanes, handling trash, and assisting passengers with wheelchairs at Charlotte Douglas International Airport went on strike Monday, demanding better wages and working conditions.
The strike comes during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, adding pressure to the holiday travel season.
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) announced the strike early Monday, stating that employees were calling for “an end to poverty wages and respect on the job.” The work stoppage, expected to last 24 hours, is part of a broader push to improve conditions for airport service workers, said SEIU spokesperson Sean Keady.
Workers Fight for Livable Wages
The striking employees, who work for contractors ABM and Prospect Airport Services, perform critical support roles under contracts with American Airlines, the airport’s largest carrier. These roles include cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash, and escorting passengers in wheelchairs.
Union officials said many workers earn between $12.50 and $19 an hour, wages they argue are insufficient to cover basic necessities like food, housing, and car repairs.
“We’re on strike today because this is our last resort. We can’t keep living like this,” said Priscilla Hoyle, a cabin cleaner for ABM. “We’re taking action because our families can’t survive.”
Union leaders said the strike affects roughly 800 workers, although the exact number participating was unclear.
Busy Travel Week Amplifies Tensions
Charlotte Douglas International Airport, one of the busiest in the nation, is preparing for record-breaking passenger traffic this Thanksgiving season. Officials estimate that more than 1 million passengers will depart the airport between last Thursday and the Monday following Thanksgiving.
In response to the strike, airport officials issued a statement Monday morning emphasizing that terminal operations were continuing without disruption. They noted that the striking workers are not employed directly by the city’s aviation department.
“The airport is monitoring and actively engaged with all partners to ensure terminal operations are not impacted,” the statement read.
Rallying for Change
In addition to the work stoppage, workers planned to hold a rally and a “Strikesgiving” lunch later in the day to draw attention to their struggles. Union officials said the meal symbolized the financial challenges many workers face, preventing them from affording traditional Thanksgiving celebrations.
“Airport service workers make holiday travel possible by keeping airports safe, clean, and running,” the SEIU said in a statement.
Employer Responses
Both ABM and Prospect Airport Services acknowledged the potential impact of the strike. ABM stated it would take steps to minimize disruptions, highlighting its appreciation for the work employees do daily.
“At ABM, we appreciate the hard work our team members put in every day to support our clients and help keep spaces clean and people healthy,” the company said in a statement last week.
Prospect Airport Services also addressed the strike, emphasizing its awareness of the situation’s seriousness, particularly during the busy holiday travel season.
The strike underscores a growing movement among service workers nationwide, calling for better pay and recognition for their contributions to essential industries.
