Charlotte airport workers voting on whether to strike during busy Thanksgiving travel week
CHARLOTTE, NC– Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport filled out paper ballots on a busy Friday before Thanksgiving to decide whether to go on a 24-hour strike during the holiday.
The voting is conducted by employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services, who provide services such as cleaning the interior of the planes, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport said in a news release that they expected about 1.02 million passengers to depart between Thursday and Monday before the holidays. The exact date of the proposed strike has not been announced.
Dorothy Griffin has worked for ABM for seven years and says she provides equipment that helps people clean airplane cabins between flights.
“We are voting on our strike because we are not being treated fairly and paid fairly,” Griffin said. “We are not respected in our work. We just want higher and more wages and a little respect.”
Griffin said workers have long complained about working conditions because they don’t always have access to drinking water. Griffin said her wages are so low that she has no money to pay for repairs on her car.
“If we stop working, the airport will stop. The planes can’t take off,” Griffin said.
ABM issued a statement saying it will take steps to minimize disruptions from demonstrations.
“At ABM, we appreciate the hard work our team members put in every day to support our customers and help keep spaces clean and people healthy,” the company said in a statement to The Associated Press. “We are aware of the planned demonstration during the busy holiday season and are taking steps to minimize any disruptions to service.”
Suzanne Mucklow, a representative of Prospect Airport Services, said in a statement to the AP that they recognize the seriousness of the potential for a strike during the busy holiday season.
“Prospect Airport Services is proud to offer higher wages, experienced leadership and comprehensive benefits to all of our employees, including the dedicated team members who work at Charlotte Douglas International Airport,” said Mucklow. “We prioritize consistent and transparent communication with all our employees so that they receive fair compensation and robust career opportunities.
Lashonda Barber, who also works for ABM as a garbage truck driver, said the company’s employees have asked to join a union and not receive sick or vacation pay.
“This is very important and the strike vote will hopefully make a difference,” Barber said.
She said the decision to go on strike for 24 hours was not easy for her financially.
“If we lose a day of work, it’s going to hurt us in the long run,” Barber said.
Nemiah Sydney, of Atlanta, passed through the airport on Friday and said he supported the workers who voted to strike, although he hoped it would not affect his travel plans.
“They have families to take care of. They need to fight for better wages,” Sydney said, calling them essential workers at the airports.
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Associated Press reporter Kristin M. Hall in Nashville, Tennessee contributed to this report.