Charlotte Douglas International Airport workers and faith leaders plan to address the Charlotte City Council today, calling for the introduction of the Charlotte Acting for Safety and Efficiency (CASE) Ordinance. This will be the last council meeting before summer break – the last chance for Mayor Lyles to take action on the ongoing conflict between city officials and CLT airport workers.
The CASE ordinance proposal outlines minimum wage, benefit, and training standards for airport workers employed by airline contractors and permitted businesses at CLT. Supporters argue that these measures would reduce employee turnover, improve workplace stability, and enhance airport safety.
Workers and coalition members have regularly spoken at recent council meetings, citing concerns over compensation, working conditions, and staffing shortages. They have also highlighted the role of airport workers in maintaining public safety, particularly during emergencies.
“It’s June now and nothing has been done. We are still suffering, and people are leaving because it’s just not a stable job,” says Maribel McBeath, a contracted cabin cleaner who services American Airlines. “We clean the planes, we move the passengers, all while being underpaid and short staffed. That’s not right. Mayor Lyles needs to stop ignoring us and stand with the people who keep the airport moving.”
Airport workers are sounding the alarm: low wages, high turnover, & corporate greed are putting airport safety at risk. Want to know what’s really going on? Read the report and stand with us in the fight for fair wages and secure airports for all.
👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾https://t.co/lbBwhMADoV pic.twitter.com/Yv18yQf7z5
— Airport Workers United (@GoodAirports) May 7, 2025
Charlotte City Council, which oversees CLT as its owner and operator, has not yet introduced the CASE ordinance into committee. A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, with airport workers expected to share testimony during that portion of the meeting.
