Charlotte airport workers vote to strike during busy Thanksgiving travel week

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport filled out paper ballots on the busy Friday before Thanksgiving to decide whether to go on a 24-hour strike over the holiday.

Voted by employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services, which provide services such as aircraft cabin cleaning, trash removal and assistance for passengers in wheelchairs.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport said in a news release that it expects about 1.02 million passengers to fly out between Thursday and Monday ahead of the holiday. The exact date of the proposed strike has not been announced.

Dorothy Griffin has worked at ABM for seven years and said she provides equipment for people to clean airplane cabins between flights.

“We are voting to strike because we are not being treated fairly and we are being paid unfairly,” Griffin said. “We are not respected in our work. We just want better and bigger salaries and a little respect.”

Griffin said workers have long complained about working conditions, saying they don’t always have access to drinking water. Griffin said her salary is so low that she doesn’t have money to repair her car.

“If we stop working, the airport will stop. Planes can’t fly,” Griffin said.

ABM issued a statement saying it would take steps to minimize disruption from any demonstrations.

“At ABM, we value the hard work our team members do every day to support our customers and help keep facilities clean and people healthy,” the company said in a statement provided to The Associated Press. “We are aware of the planned demonstration. during the busy holiday season and are taking steps to minimize any potential service disruptions.”

Suzanne Macklowe, a spokeswoman for Prospect Airport Services, said in a statement to the AP that they recognize the seriousness of the possibility of a strike during the busy holiday travel season.

“Prospect Airport Services is proud to provide superior pay, experienced leadership and comprehensive benefits to all of our employees, including the dedicated team members working at Charlotte Douglas International Airport,” said Mucklow. “We prioritize consistent and transparent communication with all our employees, ensuring they are fairly compensated and have strong career opportunities.

Lashonda Barber, who also works for ABM as a garbage truck driver, said company employees are asking to join a union and not get paid for sickness or vacation.

“This is very important and we hope the strike vote will make a difference,” Barber said.

She said the decision to vote for the 24-hour strike was not easy for her financially.

“Losing a day of work will hurt us in the long run,” Barber said.

Nehemiah Sidney of Atlanta was driving through the airport Friday and said he supports workers voting to strike, although he hopes it won’t affect his travel plans.

“They have families to take care of. They should fight for higher wages,” Sidney said, calling them essential airport workers.

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Associated Press reporter Christine M. Hall in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed to this report.