Local Airport Workers, Allies, Join Nationwide Protests

"Are you ready to fight for $15?" The answer came thundering back in National Airport's historic lobby: "Yes!" AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre paused, then asked "Are you ready to join a union?" And again, "Yes!" came back from the fired-up crowd in SEIU 32BJ purple t-shirts and caps as more than 400 airport workers and their supporters rallied Tuesday before marching a milethrough the rain to demand that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority ensure contractors pay their workers $15 an hour. They also authorized a strike vote during the holiday season against Huntleigh Corporation. “We work very hard to ensure that travelers have a safe and clean airport, but we are ready to go on strike to ensure we can provide for our families,” said Aynalem Lale, a wheelchair dispatcher at Dulles. “If I made $15 an hour, I wouldn't have to work two jobs and would not have to sleep at the airport between jobs.” Joining the rally and march were local political and faith leaders, as well as other local unions. “No employer should ever pay poverty-level wages -- especially here, in one of the richest counties in America,” said Congressman-elect Donald McEachin (D-VA). The strikes and protests in D.C. were part of a nationwide day of disruption that included McDonald’s and other fast-food workers walking off their jobs in 340 cities from coast to coast. - report/photos by Chris Garlock

---