Thanksgiving has always been a time for going home and reuniting with family and loved ones. Despite the tenderness of this event, the growing volume of commuters, especially in airports, have made this trip home stressful, agitating and intense. This year, it is expected that these numbers will go even higher, especially as the holidays come around. What could be worse than an airport full of impatient, hungry travelers?
How about if that airport had no employees? Service Employees International Union Local 1 at O'Hare International Airport declared last November 17 that at least 500 workers are committed to going on strike as the holidays approach. Union spokeswoman Izabela Miltko-Ivkovich spoke to Fox News and said that the strike "will definitely take place in the coming days", without specifying which date. (READ: Chicago's O'Hare Airport One Of The Busiest In The World. Check Out Which Other Airports Made It To The Top 10)
The Chicago Tribune reports that most of the workers going on strike are protesting "shoddy" working conditions, as well as a move to raise the minimum hourly wage to $15. Most of these workers are the employees of subcontractors and are hired by airlines for their customer service duties. Workers involved include cabin cleaners, baggage handlers, janitors and wheelchair attendants. (READ: Simone Biles Makes SUrprise Appearance At Chicago's O'Hare Airport)
One woman, Kisha Rivera, a 41-year old mother of four, moved from Puerto Rico and became a cabin cleaner for Scrub at the O'Hare Airport. Earning $10.50 an hour working full-tine, her paycheck goes to covering her two younger daughters, aged 16 and 19. Employees are not provided health benefits nor paid sick days. Rivera has had to rely on public assistance through Illinois' Link program.
Besides the low wage earned, Rivera also says that she has had to clean vomit, blood and other bodily fluids without proper training or adequate cleaning supplies from her employers. In addition, only 4 cabin cleaners are stationed per plane and are expected to clean the whole vehicle in less than 7 minutes. (READ: Shocking Secrets From The Airlines Don't Want You To Know) The union named several subcontractors such as Scrub, Prospect Airport Services and Airserv as employees of these workers. None of the above companies have yet responded to this news.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
