Charlotte Airport Workers Strike Over Low Wages During Thanksgiving Travel Surge

Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport protest low pay and unfair labor practices, raising concerns about holiday travel disruptions.

Approximately 700 service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), staged a 24-hour strike on Monday to demand higher wages and improved working conditions.
The striking employees, who work for subcontractors ABM and Prospect Airport Services, perform essential tasks such as cleaning planes, removing trash, and assisting wheelchair-bound passengers.
Workers report earning between $12.50 and $19 per hour, far below the $23.26 hourly living wage calculated for the Charlotte area, with some employees describing severe financial struggles, including homelessness.
The strike coincides with one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, with the airport expecting over a million passengers during the Thanksgiving travel period, though American Airlines claims significant disruptions are unlikely.
Union representatives organized a rally and a symbolic 'Strikesgiving' lunch to highlight workers' inability to afford traditional Thanksgiving meals due to their low wages.