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LAX Worker Joins Picket Line, 08-28-08
Watch passenger service workers on strike at LAX here.
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SFO Airline Workers Vote To Authorize Strike

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BCN) Aug. 26, 2008 ― Workers at San Francisco International Airport who are seeking higher wages and better health care voted overwhelmingly Thursday to authorize a strike, a spokesman for the union representing the workers said Friday.

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Passenger Service Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize Strike at SFO

SAN FRANCISCO, CA Sept. 25, 2008 – Airline service workers at San Francisco International Airport voted overwhelmingly yesterday to authorize a strike at one of the busiest airports in the country. Workers who came out to vote on Thursday said that they were fighting against declining standards of service and security at the airports. Poverty-level wages and lack of access to affordable family health care are causing record turnover rates among workers and driving a race to the bottom in service and safety standards.

Workers called on airline giants such as American, Cathay Pacific and United to take a leadership role in calling for higher standards for service and security.

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Senator Barack Obama Releases Statement in Support of California Airport Workers

CHICAGO, IL - Sept. 4, 2008 – Senator Barack Obama issued the following statement today in support of passenger service workers at airports throughout California:

“I stand with the airline service workers who temporarily went on strike at Los Angeles International Airport last week.  The demands they’re fighting for aren’t unreasonable – access to health care, adequate training, proper equipment, wages that can support a family – they’re what America’s workers deserve.  Their efforts send a strong signal that it’s not good for workers, passengers, or the industry when business fails to live up to its end of the bargain.

“By supporting the security personnel who don’t have the staffing or training to ensure passenger safety or deal with high turnover rates, the crewmembers in dangerous conditions who can’t afford health care, and the service workers who after more than a decade on the job still don’t earn a living wage that makes ends meet, we all benefit.

"For the airline industry meeting these demands is inextricably tied to passenger safety, quality service, and the health of our economy.  Our airlines have a responsibility to their workers and passengers to come back to the bargaining table so that union members can go back to work."


LAX workers reach labor agreement

The deal covers 1,900 sky captains, baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants, airplane cabin cleaners and security personnel. It improves wages but not healthcare benefits, union officials say

LA Times

By Tami Abdollah, LA Times Staff Writer
September 27, 2008

An agreement has been reached between 1,900 passenger service workers at Los Angeles International Airport and their airlines' service contractors, officials said today.

The workers belong to Airport Workers United, which is part of Service Employees International Union Local 1877 and represents sky captains, baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants, airplane cabin cleaners and security personnel who monitor terminals and cargo areas.

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LAX workers seek better pay and benefits

Union leaders say pressing demands has risks, but they are optimistic despite the economic downturn.

LA Times

By Dan Weikel
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

September 17, 2008

As a baggage runner and low-level security official, Maria Romero has worked for three years in the army of blue-collar functionaries who help keep the airlines operating at Los Angeles International Airport.

The 41-year-old mother of three says she earns $11.25 an hour, ...

But Romero can't afford health insurance... 

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Laboring harder, slipping behind

LA Times

By David Lazarus, Consumer Confidential
August 31, 2008 - Every day is Labor Day for Ruben Rangel.

The 48-year-old Compton resident works most days from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. as a baggage handler at Los Angeles International Airport. Then he changes clothes and pulls a shift as janitor at a Ralphs from midnight to 9 a.m.

Rangel, a single father, works about 80 hours a week to provide for his five kids, ages 8 to 20. His jobs pay a combined $45,000 and provide health coverage for the family.

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Airport Workers United Press Releases August 2008

Tell the Airlines To Support Quality Jobs and Quality Services

  Tell airlines such as United, American, and Southwest that passengers and airport workers deserve dignity and respect. We're tired of the race to the bottom in the airline industry and demand effective service, improved security, and better jobs for our communities.

Tell the airlines we want real improvements for passengers and workers NOW.

Airport Workers United News Coverage

Striking LAX workers return to jobs
By David Zahniser and Tami Abdollah, Los Angeles Times
Aug. 29, 2008 - Striking Los Angeles International Airport workers returned to work this morning, less than 24 hours after baggage handlers, security personnel and janitors walked off the job Thursday following months of failed negotiations with their employers.

LAX workers go on strike, threatening Labor Day weekend disruptions
By Dan Weikel, Los Angeles Times
Aug. 28, 2008 - Threatening to inconvenience air travelers throughout the Labor Day weekend, several hundred airline service workers -- including baggage handlers, security personnel and janitors -- walked off the job today at Los Angeles International Airport after months of inconclusive contract talks with their employers.

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