Strike Archives

Workers at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport have gone on strike during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services authorized the work stoppage in North Carolina that started Monday morning. Union spokesperson Sean Keady says the strike is expected to last 24 hours. The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. Airport officials say this holiday travel season is expected to be the busiest on record. The companies have acknowledged the seriousness of a strike during the holiday travel season.… Continue Reading

Charlotte airport workers voting on whether to strike during busy Thanksgiving travel week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are voting on whether to go on a 24-hour strike around Thanksgiving amid complaints about low wages and poor working conditions. The vote is being taken by employees of two airport contractors who provide cabin cleaning services, trash removal and other services. The airport expects over 1 million passengers to depart from it the weekend before the holiday. The date of the proposed strike has not been announced.… Continue Reading

The US could see shortages and higher retail prices if a dockworkers strike drags on

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. ports from Maine to Texas are closed due to a strike by the union representing about 45,000 dockworkers. The International Longshoremen’s Association is demanding higher wages and a total ban on the automation of cranes, gates and trucks that are used in the loading or unloading of freight at 36 U.S. ports. Those ports handle roughly half of the nations’ cargo from ships. A lengthy shutdown could raise prices on goods around the country and potentially cause shortages and price increases at retailers as the holiday shopping season — along with a tight presidential election — approach.… Continue Reading

With strike looming, progress is reported in talks between Eastern and Gulf ports and dockworkers

NEW YORK (AP) — The union for 45,000 dockworkers and the group representing East and Gulf Coast ports have exchanged wage offers, leaving a ray of hope that a deal can be reached without a major work stoppage. In a statement Monday, the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents 36 ports from Maine to Texas, said that both sides have moved from their previous positions. The Alliance said it also asked the union to extend the current contract. The International Longshoremen’s Association is threatening to strike at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday in a move that could silence ports that handle about half the ship cargo coming in and going out of the U.S. towards a contract agreement.… Continue Reading