Charlotte airport service workers return to work after 1-day strike for higher pay
Editor’s note: This story was updated throughout on Nov. 26, 2024
Service employees at the Charlotte airport returned to work Tuesday, after going on a 24-hour strike, at the start of Thanksgiving travel week.
Employees with ABM and Prospect, two contractors with American Airlines, are feeling empowered after leaving their work posts early Monday, according to representatives with the Service Employees International Union or SEIU.
These employees provide services to Charlotte Douglas International Airport passengers including trash removal, cabin cleanup and wheelchair escorts. Workers, who are organizing with the 32BJ sector of SEIU.
Some 700 workers are employed by the American Airlines subcontractors at Charlotte Douglas, Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC has reported.
“They don’t want to strike,” said Tianna Jenkins, an organizer with SEIU. “They feel like they have no choice... It’s the holiday season for them as well and some of them won’t have a home for the holiday.”
The strike did not impact travel, airport officials said, as they continue to “actively engage with all partners to ensure a travel experience that is as smooth as possible.”
However, there were 188 delays on Monday during the busy holiday rush, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.
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Higher wages, better working conditions sought
Workers are seeking higher wages and better working conditions.
Employees make between $12.50 and $19 an hour, according to SEIU, which, at its highest, is about $39,500 gross annual income.
As the city of Charlotte continues to grow in population, so has the cost of living. Nearly half of people who rent in Mecklenburg County struggle to do so.
The union said that about 40% of contracted airport workers reported being cost-burdened, meaning they pay more than 30% of their income toward housing.
“We got an eviction notice that we have to be out by midnight on Tuesday,” said Prospect wheelchair agent Laura Kelly in Monday’s news release. “I understand that passengers are worried that they may not be able to make it home for the holidays. But I have to worry that my family won’t even have a home this Thanksgiving.”
Workers rallied late Monday morning across from the airport at the corner of Wilkinson Boulevard and Josh Birmingham Parkway, holding picket signs and chanting slogans like “Poverty wages don’t fly.”
They also held a “Striksgiving” meal at 1 p.m. at a nearby Residence Inn.
No updates on demands
Jenkins said to the union’s knowledge, workers haven’t been contacted regarding their demands for higher pay.
However, Prospect employees said a letter was hung up in their work areas stating they would be fired if they went on strike, according to Jenkins.
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Prospect did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday from The Charlotte Observer.
ABM said it was “committed to addressing concerns swiftly.”
Holiday travel at Charlotte airport
Even as the strike unfolded, the airport continued to handle one of its busiest weeks on record.
About 1.02 million passengers are predicted to depart from the Charlotte airport during Thanksgiving week, the airport announced Thursday. That’s an approximate 7% increase compared to last year and a 20% increase from pre-pandemic 2019.
American Airlines is expecting to see almost 8.3 million customers in its network this weekend, the airport also announced. The airline has one of its biggest hubs at Charlotte Douglas, and accounts for nearly 90% of passenger service there.
This story was originally published November 25, 2024 at 10:46 AM.
