As millions of travelers headed out for the holidays, workers at National Airport joined a national day of fasting, vigils and rallies on Tuesday. The workers— cleaners, baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants and security officers— wore buttons that said “Ask Me Why I’m Fasting” and passed out petitions and flyers explaining their struggle for a $15-per-hour minimum wage, SEIU said.
The 24-hour fast -- which runs through noon Wednesday -- along with vigils and rallies, was organized more than a dozen airports across the country. “I believe it’s the right thing to do,” baggage handler Alex Aram told The Washington Post. The 24-year-old works fulltime for a contractor at National making $8.50 an hour. “We all come from the same struggle, we all have the same thing in common and want it to get better.”
- photo: DC airport worker at fast event with area religious supporters; photo courtesy SEIU 32BJ Twitter account
The 24-hour fast -- which runs through noon Wednesday -- along with vigils and rallies, was organized more than a dozen airports across the country. “I believe it’s the right thing to do,” baggage handler Alex Aram told The Washington Post. The 24-year-old works fulltime for a contractor at National making $8.50 an hour. “We all come from the same struggle, we all have the same thing in common and want it to get better.”
- photo: DC airport worker at fast event with area religious supporters; photo courtesy SEIU 32BJ Twitter account