Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport have cast their votes on whether to initiate a 24-hour strike during the busy holiday season. This decision emerged from growing frustration over wages and working conditions, as employees seek to improve their situations just days before Thanksgiving.
The strike vote, which took place on November 24, involved workers from ABM and Prospect Airport Services, two companies contracted by American Airlines to manage cleaning, trash removal, and assisting passengers needing wheelchair support. The airport is predicting another record-setting travel period, anticipating around 1.02 million passengers from Thursday through Monday for Thanksgiving, marking about a 7% increase compared to the previous year and noticeable recovery from pre-pandemic numbers.
Dorothy Griffin, employed by ABM for the past seven years, shared her perspective on the workers' dissatisfaction. "We're voting on our strike because we're not treated fairly, we're not paid fairly. We're not respected in our jobs. We just want higher and more wages and a little respect." Griffin also highlighted the lack of access to basic necessities at work, including drinking water, which compounds her struggles with low wages. She noted, "If we stop working, the airport is going to stop. The planes can't go." For many of these workers, calling for a strike is not only about pay; it emphasizes the basic respect they deserve as integral airport staff.
Statements issued by ABM acknowledged the concerns raised, emphasizing their commitment to minimizing disruptions, especially during holiday travel, stating, "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." They recognized the planned action and promised measures to mitigate impacts on airport operations. Similarly, Prospect Airport Services expressed their dedication to fair wages and benefits, promoting transparent communication with the employees.
Another worker, Lashonda Barber, who serves as a trash truck driver, voiced the financial risks involved with the strike vote. Barber revealed many workers have sought union representation and lack paid sick days or vacation time. "This is very important and the strike vote will hopefully make a difference," she said, emphasizing the struggle between making necessary daily wage and risking financial stability by participating in the strike. It's clear this decision weighs heavily on them as they face the dual pressures of financial strain and job dissatisfaction.
Traveler reactions to the potential strike have been mixed. Nemiah Sydney, passing through the airport on strike day, expressed support for the workers’ cause, acknowledging their fight for families and livelihoods. He stated, “They gotta fight for a bigger wage,” aligning with their demand for respect and proper compensation. Travelers, at the same time, hope their plans aren’t derailed by these necessary actions taken by workers.
The union behind the organizing, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and its 32BJ sector, continues to advocate for living wages amid rising living costs. Currently, airport workers earn between $12.50 and $19 per hour, which some employees argue is insufficient to meet the skyrocketing housing costs in Charlotte. According to SEIU, Charlotte residents must earn at least $70,640 annually to afford comfortable living, whereas many workers are grappling with housing cost burdens.
Reports indicate around 40% of these service workers face cost burdens, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. An alarming number have experienced homelessness, living out of cars, or having cohabitated with multiple family members to alleviate financial strain. The collective plight of airport workers reinforces the notion of their contributions being pivotal yet often overlooked.
With Charlotte Douglas International Airport gearing up for one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, the workers’ impending strike raises questions about the reliability and functionality of airport services during the peak travel times. While the labor dispute highlights important issues within the workforce, the prospect of service disruption weighs heavily on the minds of travelers and airport management alike.
The precise timing of the strike remains uncertain as votes are counted and the mood within the airport community hangs delicately. It’s clear there’s urgency for management to respond as the wave of travel intensifies. Community support appears to build around the workers as their shared struggles resonate with many facing similar issues within various sectors across the nation.
For the airport staff, this is not purely about the right to protest but rather to advocate for fair treatment, proper compensation, and ultimate recognition of their invaluable roles within the airport operations. The outcome of their decision will likely set the tone for airport labor relations moving forward, one way or another.
