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LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Operations at the Los Angeles International Airport would run smoothly in the middle of an event organized Tuesday by airport workers, as part of protests in 40 airports in 13 countries, to get better wages, safer workplaces and more.
The event, which began at Terminal 4 departures, was organized by the International Union of Service Employees, the International Transport Workers' Federation and UNI Syndicat.
Frederick Badlissi, a spokesperson for LAX, said the protest had no impact on airport operations or late flights. He also stated that he had no estimate as to the number of people who took part in the event.
"In LAX, my SEIU-United Service Workers West union has been fighting to double salaries and get full health care for the family," said Tim Maddox, a wheelchair attendant, before the event. "We are now fighting against airlines like American and Southwest that are trying to undermine these gains … we will be making it clear to the airlines that they must play an important role in our communities by offering good union jobs at LAX and Toronto airports. region. The whole country. "
SEIU said workers such as baggage handlers, security guards, cabin cleaners, janitors, wheelchair attendants and others are helping to generate significant profits for the global airline industry. make ends meet at low wages and often without benefits or paid leave.
"If you work hard, you should be able to feed your family, save for the future and ensure your children have a chance to move forward," said US Senate candidate Kevin de León in a statement. "That's true for the airport workers as well. Big airlines take billions of dollars in taxes every year. They have the responsibility – and the ability – to defend good jobs within a union and stop leading the race down at airports around the world. "
The SEIU said that in the United States, nearly half of the airport workers were skipping meals or were hungry, and nearly 30% were resorting to public aid. But the event also aims to raise public awareness of the situation in other countries.
According to SEIU officials, in Thailand, some airport workers are paid only $ 10 a day, half of the living wage, and Indonesian airport workers are paid only $ 1.50 a day. hour, which is well below the necessary salary. basic necessities.
The union also said some major US airlines were receiving taxpayer help, but were making significant profits by imposing excessive fees, including United Airlines, which received $ 44 billion in taxpayer assistance. Last year, but that generated the most revenue from any airline, which luggage charge and booking change fees, to $ 5.7 billion.
"United Airlines is committed to treating all employees fairly, offering them competitive compensation, state-of-the-art benefits and privileges, and creating a safe and positive work environment, whether or not they are represented by a union." , said United Airlines in a statement. declaration.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved The City News service contributed to this report.)
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