Between 50 and 125 baggage handlers servicing several
airlines at Philadelphia International Airport plan to walk off the job
Thursday protesting low wages, the worker's union said.
The handlers work for PrimeFlight, an independent
contractor that staffs baggage operations for US Airways Express, American
Airlines and Philadelphia International Airport's international terminal, A
West.
Julie Blust, spokeswoman for 32BJ SEIU, said the work
stoppage is expected to run from 7 a.m. through noon. They will be
demonstrating in front of Terminals B & C, she said.
The handlers are frustrated over low wages and the union
says many make $7.25 an hour. Philadelphia voters approved a ballot question in
May asking whether airport workers should see the minimum wage increased to
$10.88 an hour. The union says that increase has not materialized.
It is still unclear how the work stoppage will affect
travelers.
Officials at Philadelphia International Airport said they
were still assessing the situation.
NBC10 also reached out to the airlines, but did not
immediately hear back.
Source: NBC
Philadelphia
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