Workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina have gone on strike during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. The employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots on Friday to authorize the work stoppage, which began on Monday morning.
The Service Employees International Union announced the strike in a statement, stating that the workers are demanding an end to poverty wages and respect on the job during the holiday travel season. ABM and Prospect Airport Services contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash, and escorting passengers in wheelchairs.
Workers have expressed their growing inability to afford basic necessities like food and housing, despite living paycheck to paycheck. They are unable to cover expenses like car repairs while performing essential jobs that keep planes running on schedule. Priscilla Hoyle, an ABM cabin cleaner, stated that the strike is their last resort because they can’t continue living in these conditions and their families cannot survive.
Most workers earn between $12.50 and $19 an hour, which is below the living wage for a single person with no children in the Charlotte area, according to union officials. Charlotte Douglas International Airport officials have predicted that this holiday travel season will be the busiest on record, with an estimated 1.02 million passengers departing the airport between last Thursday and the Monday after Thanksgiving.
In addition to walking off the job, striking workers plan to hold a rally and a “Strikesgiving” lunch as a substitute for the Thanksgiving meal that many of them won’t be able to afford later in the week. The union emphasized the critical role airport service workers play in keeping airports safe, clean, and running smoothly, despite having to work multiple jobs to make ends meet.
ABM and Prospect Airport Services have stated that they will take steps to minimize disruptions from any demonstrations. ABM expressed appreciation for the hard work of their team members in supporting clients and maintaining clean and healthy spaces. Prospect Airport Services acknowledged the seriousness of the potential strike during the busy holiday travel season.
The strike at Charlotte Douglas International Airport highlights the ongoing struggle of service workers to earn fair wages and be treated with respect on the job. As the holiday travel season kicks into high gear, these workers are taking a stand for their rights and demanding better working conditions.
