Airport Workers at One the Busiest Hubs in the U.S. Just Went on Strike Days Ahead of Thanksgiving — What to Know

Airport workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) went on strike Monday to protest “poverty wages” just as the busy Thanksgiving holiday week kicked off.

Service workers at the North Carolina airport, including cabin cleaners, wheelchair attendants, lavatory workers, trash truck drivers, and ramp workers, officially went on strike at 5 a.m. ET on Monday, the Service Employees International Union confirmed to Travel + Leisure. Workers are employed by ABM and Prospect Airport Services, which American Airlines contracts with. 

Striking workers say they are unable to afford basic necessities like housing. Most striking workers make between $12.50 and $19 per hour, which the union said is below the living wage for the area.

“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,” Laura Kelly, a striking wheelchair agent, said in a statement shared with T+L. “We don’t want to go on strike, however my family deserves a safe place to lay their heads at night.”

As part of the strike, several hundred workers are expected to walk off the job and continue throughout Monday, according to The Associated Press, however CLT told T+L in a statement that they will “ensure a smooth travel experience.”

“There are no impacts at this time, and CLT is prepared to welcome record-breaking Thanksgiving holiday passengers,” a spokesperson for the airport said.

At CLT alone, more than 1 million passengers are expected to pass through the airport between Thursday, Nov. 21, and Monday, Dec. 2, marking the busiest Thanksgiving on record there, according to the airport. 

A representative for ABM told the AP it would make efforts to minimize disruptions, while Prospect Airport Services told the wire service last week the company recognizes the seriousness of a potential strike during the holiday travel season.

“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,” the company told the AP in a statement.