Contracted airport workers held protests in 20 different cities across the United States on Wednesday in a day of action organized jointly by Airport Workers United and the Service Employees International Union to demand a living wage and benefits.
Hundreds of baggage handlers, cabin cleaners, wheelchair assistants, and security officers gathered at airline terminals in major U.S. cities, including Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington D.C., to demand standard benefits and wages from American, Delta, and United Airlines.
In an open letter to the CEOs of the three airlines, workers said it was time to stop treating the essential workers at airports as disposable.
“You have the power to transform the airline industry so that every airport job can be a good job that sustains families and helps build stronger communities,” the letter says.
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Currently, the wage of airport workers depends on the city the airport is in. This means that a cabin cleaner in one city could theoretically make $15 per hour, while a cabin cleaner at another airport could make $9 per hour for the same exact job.
Other jobs, such as wheelchair attendants, are considered tipped employees, meaning they can make as little as $7.98 per hour in Florida, according to Orlando Weekly.
The letter also called on the leaders to sign a “Good Airports Pledge” acknowledging that airlines have the “ability and responsibility to end poverty-wage jobs and inequality through the system,” respecting the right for workers to join a union, and guaranteeing the set minimum wage, benefits, and paid leave.
Omer Hussein, a wheelchair attendant with American Airlines at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, said the pay he gets from American Airlines is not enough for rent or car payments.
“Airports keep our economy and our world connected. I assist disabled, elderly and other passengers, who need help getting through the airport to their plane,” Hussein said in a press release. “I’m only paid $12 an hour. I work a lot of hours and some days I work so late that I just sleep over at the airport. … I like working with passengers, but I’m so tired all the time. That won’t fly any longer. Now, airport workers like me are fed up and taking action to demand that all airport jobs must be good, union jobs that pay enough to support our families.”
No major airline has promised to sign the pledge so far. However, United told The Hill that it requires all vendors to follow all federal, state, and local laws, including when it comes to minimum wage and benefits.
Washington Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal said she supports the protesters and their right for better pay.
“Today I’m standing with @SEIU and @GoodAirports, calling out the major pay discrepancies between airport workers and CEOs. Airport workers can be paid as little as $8/hour, while CEOs are paid on average $5,000/hour. It’s time to raise the wage for workers across this country,” she tweeted.
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Airport workers in Orlando, Florida, walked off the job in November and protested unsafe working conditions, long hours, and erratic work schedules during the peak holiday season.
