Service personnel at Charlotte Douglas International Airport participated in a ballot vote on a hectic Friday leading up to Thanksgiving to determine whether they would initiate a 24-hour strike during the festive season.
This decision comes from workers employed by ABM and Prospect Airport Services, who are responsible for essential operations such as cleaning aircraft interiors, disposing of waste, and providing assistance to passengers with disabilities.
According to a statement from the airport, they anticipate around 1.02 million passengers to travel through the airport from Thursday to the following Monday ahead of the holiday. However, the specific date for the potential strike has yet to be disclosed.
Dorothy Griffin, who has been with ABM for seven years, explained her role in providing the necessary equipment for staff to maintain plane cleanliness between flights. She expressed the motivation behind the strike vote, stating, “We’re voting on our strike because we’re not treated fairly, we’re not paid fairly. We’re not respected in our jobs. We just want higher and more wages and a little respect.”
Griffin noted that workers have raised continuous concerns over their work conditions, including a lack of access to drinking water. She further highlighted that her low wages make it difficult for her to afford important automobile repairs.
“If we stop working, the airport is going to stop. The planes can’t go,” Griffin asserted, emphasizing the vital role the workers play in airport operations.
In reaction to the strike vote, ABM released a statement indicating they would endeavor to reduce any interruptions caused by potential 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,” the statement read. “We are aware of the planned demonstration over the busy holiday travel season and are taking steps to minimize any potential service disruption.”
Mazune Mucklow, representing Prospect Airport Services, acknowledged the weight of the situation, recognizing the potential impact a strike could have during this peak travel period. “Prospect Airport Services is proud to provide higher wages, experienced leadership, and comprehensive benefits to all our employees,” Mucklow stated. “We prioritize consistent and transparent communication with all our employees, ensuring they receive fair compensation and robust career advancement opportunities.”
Lashonda Barber, also an ABM employee who drives a trash truck, mentioned that workers have been advocating for union representation and highlighted the absence of paid sick or vacation time for employees. “This is very important and the strike vote will hopefully make a difference,” Barber expressed.
Barber shared that voting for a 24-hour strike was financially challenging for her, stating, “To lose a day of work, it’s going to hurt us in the long run.”
Traveling through the airport, Nemiah Sydney from Atlanta voiced his support for the workers’ strike decision, albeit hoping that it wouldn’t disrupt his travel plans. “They got families they got to take care of. They gotta fight for a better wage,” he remarked, recognizing them as essential to the airport’s operations.