Airport Workers United News Coverage

Airport Workers United News Coverage

LAX Workers Return to Jobs

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 on Strike

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.

Strike! 2,500 LAX workers walk off jobs
By Art Marroquin, LA Daily Breeze

Aug. 28, 2008 - About 2,500 unionized passenger service workers at Los Angeles International Airport called a strike and walked off the job this afternoon after labor negotiations broke down with their employers.

The move will likely cripple operations at LAX, where an estimated 825,000 travelers are expected to board flights during the upcoming Labor Day weekend.

Strike Vote Coverage
LAX Service Workers Vote to Authorize a Strike

Los Angeles Times, August 21, 2008
By Tami Abdollah
Airport Workers United, whose members include bag handlers and cabin cleaners, is asking for better pay and healthcare, among other demands. It has been in talks with plane subcontractors since July.

LAX Workers Hold Strike Vote
KABC-7, Wednesday, August 20, 2008
By Amy Powell

LOS ANGELES INT'L. AIRPORT-- Trouble looms for both workers and travelers at LAX. More than 2,000 airport employees held a strike authorization vote Wednesday. The workers want higher wages, more affordable health care, and better training.

LAX Service Workers Authorize Strike
Los Angeles Daily Breeze, August 21, 2008
By Art Marroquin
Unionized passenger service workers at Los Angeles International Airport overwhelmingly agreed to authorize a strike against their employers, officials announced on Thursday.

AWU News Coverage

LAX workers seek better pay and benefits
Union leaders say pressing demands has risks, but they are optimistic despite the economic downturn.

Los Angeles Times, September 17, 2008
By Dan Weikel
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.

Laboring harder, slipping behind
Los Angeles Times, August 31, 2008
By David Lazarus, Consumer Confidential
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.

Skycaps too feel the effects of airline crunch
Los Angeles Times, July 5, 2008
By Dan Weikel
At LAX and elsewhere, workers who check in luggage for travelers have seen their incomes fall by as much as 50% in the last several years. 'People aren't as happy at work,' one said.