“We are on strike today to send a message that we mean business,” said baggage handler Marvin Lynch (right) yesterday as the sun rose over National Airport. “We’re getting poverty wages in return for our hard work. Today we say enough is enough.” The strike continued into the evening yesterday, as contracted airport workers at both National Airport and Dulles walked off the job to protest poverty wages and a lack of respect from their employer, Huntleigh Corporation. “You are brave – you’re standing up for the right thing and you’re standing up for your families,” said Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola.“You will prevail, so keep up the fight.” Favola was joined at the early-morning rally by Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring and clergy and community supporters. Dulles and National’s contracted airport service workers are excluded from the airport's living wage law and earn as little as $3.77 an hour plus tips. Workers attended the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's (MWAA) meeting yesterday, urging them to ensure that all contractors pay their workers $15 an hour. “We are disappointed that MWAA did not act in time to ensure these workers would get a living wage for the holidays,” said Reverend Graylan Hagler. “We will continue to pray that the board takes decisive action in time to keep these men and women from falling deeper into poverty. The clock is ticking.” photo: SEIU32BJ Twitter
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