Charlotte Douglas International Airport expects over 1 million passengers during Thanksgiving week, its busiest period. Flight delays have been reported, with nearly 80 delays as of Monday, down from 214 on Saturday.
The delays come amid a strike by hundreds of airport workers seeking higher wages and improved conditions, although airport officials say the strike has not directly caused flight disruptions. Workers, earning between $12.50 and $19 per hour, are demanding wages closer to the Charlotte living wage, which is $23.26 per hour.
“It’s outrageous that Charlotte airport workers are enduring homelessness and housing instability due to their low wages,” says Ismaail Qaiyim, Core member of Charlotte Housing Justice Coalition, “We’ve had to help airport workers fight eviction, and some even move into temporary housing and hotels when they suddenly lose their housing due to lack of funds. These are working people and it’s unacceptable that many of them don’t know where they’re sleeping tonight.”
.#CLT airport workers are on #strike. Don't cross these picket lines! “Even though we can’t go on these trips, even though we cant fly on the plane that we clean, we do want our passengers to, because we know without them we won’t get paid either” https://t.co/zNKqR43oi7
— Jason L. Newton (@Jason_L_Newton) November 26, 2024
According to a recent survey, 40% of contracted Charlotte airport workers reported housing insecurity, and over half struggled to pay utilities. With this holiday season expected to break travel records, workers are drawing attention to their struggles, urging companies at the airport to improve job conditions and wages for the local workforce.
