Rallying for Wages, Benefits at LAX

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After 20 years of working as a skycap at Los Angeles International Airport, Henry Watts still smiles as he greets people passing through Terminal Two, the Daily Breeze reports.


Despite the dedication to his job, Watts said he would like to earn a little more money, along with improved health-care benefits that include dental and vision coverage.


“If you do quality work, you should get what you deserve,” Watts said. “But anytime I need to get glasses, I have to pay for it out of my pocket. I want to see that change because it’s an expense I can’t afford.”


Watts was among 200 unionized janitors, security screeners, baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants and other airport service workers who attended a rally outside the airport Wednesday afternoon in hopes of drawing attention to upcoming contract negotiations with their employers.


A similar rally was held Wednesday at San Francisco International Airport.


Airlines operating at LAX have contracts with private firms charged with hiring airport service workers, who earn an average of $10.50 hourly.


Increased pay, improved health benefits and better job training are some of the requests being made by more than 5,000 airport service workers statewide who are represented by the Service Employees International Union, about 2,000 of whom work at LAX.


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