Political, religious and community allies joined hundreds of airport workers Wednesday in demanding a $15 hourly wage. "The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has the power to make airline contractors pay a living wage," said Virginia Delegate Jennifer Boysco (86th Dist.) at a mid-afternoon rally at National Airport organized by SEIU 32BJ. “"If Virginia is to continue moving forward, we can't leave airport workers behind," added Delegate Alfonso Lopez (49th Dist). And Rev. Graylan Hagler called on the airports to "have a backbone and meet a standard of dignity and respect." The mostly-immigrant workers also made a moving tribute to their home countries struggling with war and famine, raising their crossed arms in support. "32BJ! When we fight, we win!" the workers chanted in the historic Terminal A lobby before marching silently through the airport to deliver a letter to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority signed over by over 1,000 contracted wheelchair attendants, skycaps, baggage handlers, checkpoint agents and cabin cleaners, some of whom earn as little as $6 per hour plus unreliable tips. - report/photos by Chris Garlock/Union City; click below for the full report and more photos
Comments are closed.
|