Dive Brief:
- Non-union service workers at Boston Logan International Airport announced they would go on strike Tuesday at 11:30 AM in solidarity with the Fight for 15 movement's National Day of Disruption to demand a minimum wage increase, per a press release sent to Supply Chain Dive.
- The workers, which includes baggage handlers and cabin cleaners, are employed by JetBlue contractor Flight Services and Systems and are protesting wage theft, retaliation for lawsuits and racial discrimination.
- A similar strike is taking place at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, while protests are slated to take place at 20 other airports nationwide.
Dive Insight:
Officials at O'Hare told USA Today they are prepared for the strike and do not expect disruptions to air traffic since the workers are not airline employees. If anything, the baggage handlers and cabin cleaners would affect times to load and unload.
Unlike the strike at O'Hare, however, the strike at Boston Logan came as a bit of a surprise. The strike at O'Hare was announced last week, providing the airport authorities plenty of time to prepare. As of Monday, officials expected protests at 20 airports nationwide, including Boston Logan, but the service workers noted they would strike, not protest, later that evening.
"Massport is aware of the picketing and leafleting against a private company that is a sub-contractor to the airlines," the state agency told Supply Dive. "The action is not expected to impact any flights in a material way. Massport has been meeting regularly with labor and community groups on issues involving private firms that provide service to airlines operating at Boston Logan."
As of October, Boston Logan handled 54,456,896 pounds of express and cargo freight. The Federal Aviation Administrations recorded no or minimal delays as of 10:30 AM. Delays can be tracked on the FAA's website through this link.
