Charlotte Douglas airport workers strike ahead of anticipated record Thanksgiving travel – Washington Examiner

The Service Employees International Union’s chapter in the airport includes ramp agents, cabin cleaners, lavatory and water agents, high lift truck drivers, and workers who escort travelers in wheelchairs. This union represents employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services, which voted to create the chapter last year.

Workers are seeking higher wages, as they currently range between $12.50 and $19 an hour. SEIU officials said they will hold a “Strikesgiving” lunch to “replace the Thanksgiving meal that many of the workers won’t be able to afford later this week.” However, ABM said in a statement last week it was prepared to prevent demonstrations from disrupting travel.

“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.

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Prospect Airport Services acknowledged the impending strike last week.

Airport officials are expecting 1.02 million passengers to travel to its airport this week, which would be a 7% increase from last year and a record. American Airlines is the majority airport in Charlotte, as it operates nearly 90% of all flights. CLT is American Airlines’s second-largest hub and the fifth-most connected U.S. airport.