Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina, went on strike Monday morning.
The strike comes ahead of the Transportation Security Administration warning that 2024 may see record Thanksgiving travel this year.
Local outlet WSOC-TV said the strike involves workers employed by American Airlines contractors ABM and Prospect Airport Services, who are unhappy with “unfair labor practices and poverty wages.”
Airport service workers include cabin cleaners, ramp workers, lavatory workers, wheelchair attendants and trash truck drivers.
Many of those workers earn as little as $12.50 an hour, which is not considered a livable wage for a single person with no children in Charlotte, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) officials told ABC News.
“Airport service workers make holiday travel possible by keeping airports safe, clean, and running,” the SEIU said. “Despite their critical role in the profits that major corporations enjoy, many airport service workers must work two to three jobs to make ends meet.”
The strike began at 5 a.m. Monday and is expected to continue over Thanksgiving week when the airport is set to see record travel, according to airport officials.
In addition to walking off the job Monday morning, striking workers will also hold a rally at 11 a.m. and a 1 p.m. “Strikesgiving” lunch.
“We recognize the seriousness of airport workers striking, particularly during the busy holiday travel season, and remain fully committed to addressing concerns and minimizing any disruptions to our operations during this critical time,” Prospect Airport Services told FOX Business in a statement.
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I do not blame the low-paying employees from striking, when they have to probably work harder and with some overtime, to fulfill their job requirements during the height of the travel season. It would not be a terrible inconvenience to surcharge passengers for the increase in travel, and because the passengers have decided it is important to be with family this time of year, which would provide a bonus payment for hard work of the low-paying employees. However, it is the greed of the corporations that prevent paying out anymore than the market can bear when it comes to employment. At the same time, these corporate heads have no problem providing lavish bonuses for themselves, to the tune of millions of dollars. If you want to prevent strikes and wars… get rid of human greed, and that will guarantee peace in the world and goodwill toward men, and women.