Workers at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) began a fast Monday to protest what they allegedly claim is the practice of employers withholding breaks or stealing wages from their workers.
Nearly a dozen cabin cleaners, attendants and other workers at LAX who joined in the protest will consume only liquids for a three-day hunger strike to protest their grievances, an article on Laist.com stated.
The protesting group are employees for two airport contractors--Aviation Safeguards and Scientific Concepts--who work at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at the airport.
The report further disclosed that the two companies are refusing to negotiate union contracts and "are violating workers rights, whether it be about breaks, [or] stolen break money," said Tim Maddox, executive board member of SEIU-USWW, a union that represents many of the workers at LAX."
The protesters plan to spend most of their time fasting at the airport to the time leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, and will sleep at a nearby church, the article indicated.
According to the article, the protesters "want responsible contractors, people who are going to do the right thing by the workers and by the public".
It was also mentioned that "short-staffed cabin crew workers are under increasing pressure to clean planes more quickly because an increase in scheduled flights are requiring faster turnarounds."
In a statement, the SEIU-USWW alleged that Scientific Concepts has been fined $963,000 for wage theft by the state labor standards enforcement department, but still has a license to operate at LAX. They also claim that Aviation Safeguards refuses to enter into union contracts with employees.
Meanwhile, a plan has been approved Thursday to set up a private lounge at the airport for the rich and famous. The proposal, which will open as early as next spring, was approved by the Board of Airport Commissioners. The proposed project includes a 43,750-square-foot building and a 13,840-square-foot parking lot.
