By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-25 21:01:42 | Updated at 2024-11-25 23:20:45
2 hours ago
Service employees at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) will be on strike during a week of potential record-breaking travel.
Workers from the Service Employees International Union confirmed the strike in a statement on November 25.
ABM and Prospect Airport Services employees had previously cast ballots to authorize work stoppage in North Carolina on November 22.
The workers' statement said they demand 'an end to poverty wages and respect on the job during the holiday travel season.'
ABM and Prospect Airport Services currently provide services like interior airplane cleaning and escorting travelers in wheelchairs.
'We're on strike today because this is our last resort. We can't keep living like this. We're taking action because our families can't survive,' ABM cabin cleaner Priscilla Hoyle said in a statement.
It comes as airports across the country are anticipating a record-breaking Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects 18.3 million travelers at US airports between November 26 and December 2.
Service employees at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina will be on strike during the 'busiest holiday ever'
Hundreds of CLT employees were expected to participate in the strike today.
Other than walking off their jobs, workers will hold an 11:00 am rally and a 1:00 pm 'Strikesgiving' lunch 'in place of the Thanksgiving meal that many of the workers won't be able to afford later this week.'
'Airport service workers make holiday travel possible by keeping airports safe, clean, and running,' the union said in a statement.
'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 union explained that most of the workers earn between $12.50 and $19 - less than the living wage for one person with no children in Charlotte, North Carolina.
CLT service workers have also expressed concern over their inability to afford things like food or housing.
ABM explained that it would find ways to minimize potential disruptions from demonstrations.
'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,' ABM said in a statement last week.
Service workers at CLT statement said they demand 'an end to poverty wages and respect on the job during the holiday travel season'
Average airfare during the Thanksgiving travel period is $439, according to experts from Kayak.
The number of travelers in US airports for the next seven days is 6 percent higher than the corresponding days in 2023, it found.
CLT officials said they expect to have 1.02 million travelers departing the airport between November 21 and December 2.
This is a 7 percent increase from this time last year.
Florida's Miami International Airport (MIA) is also expecting to have 1.9 million travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday period, according to CBS News.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is also anticipating 1.3 million travelers.
'This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of air travel,' TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.
'Fortunately, our staffing is also at the highest levels that they have ever been. We are ready.'
CLT expects to have 1.02 million travelers departing the airport between November 21 and December 2
United Airlines is expecting more than 6.2 million passengers to fly between November 21 and December 3.
United will operate nearly 4,400 flights, and almost 480,000 passengers will fly with the airline daily during the 2024 Thanksgiving travel period.
United flights this travel period will have about 30,000 more travelers per day than last year.
'We anticipate this will be our busiest Thanksgiving holiday travel period on record and our team members are well-prepared to help more customers than ever connect with their friends, family and loved ones this season,' David Kinzelman, United's Senior Vice President of Airport Operations and Chief Customer Officer, said in an email to DailyMail.com.
'We've made significant investments across our business to help customers save time at the airport, navigate the crowds and arrive at their destinations safely and quickly.'
The airline confirmed in an email to DailyMail.com that its travel demand between November 29 and December 1 went up by more than 20 percent this year.
To help meet the demands, United added nearly 400 additional flights a day.
United Airlines is expecting more than 6.2 million passengers to fly between November 21 and December 3
Airlines have advised holiday travelers to check in early online, monitor flight statuses, and arrive at the airport 2 to 3 hours before flight departure.
An ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers could also cause flight delays, AP reported.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker explained the agency would use special measures to deal with staff shortages.
'If we are short on staff, we will slow traffic as needed to keep the system safe,' he said.
