Aug 28, 2008 5:44 pm US/Pacific
LAX Service Workers Strike In Time For Labor Day
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
Roughly 2,500 members of a union representing skycaps, janitors and other service workers at Los Angeles International Airport have walked off the job before the start of the Labor Day weekend.
Members of Service Employees International Union Local 1871 began picketing Thursday after negotiators called off contract talks with companies that contract with airlines for baggage handling, cleaning aircraft cabins and terminals, security, wheelchair assistance and other services.
Union officials had been trying to negotiate individual contracts with nine subcontractors to get higher wage and better training and health care benefits. They say the workers earn an average $19,000 per year.
Calls to the subcontractors, including Air Serv Corp., Aviation Safeguards and Aero Port Services Inc. were not immediately returned. An airport spokeswoman says the strike did not cause any flight delays.
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