Protests Disrupt Holiday Travelers at LAX
Travelers making their way to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) encountered significant disruptions due to protests blocking outdoor roads during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. Reports indicated that demonstrators halted traffic near the airport’s main building, which resulted in many individuals having to leave their vehicles and walk to the terminal to catch their flights.
On Tuesday, protesters marched to Century Boulevard, obstructing the primary entrance to the airport and impeding traffic around the boarding and disembarkation areas. By around 6:15 p.m., police in riot gear arrived to clear the intersection, allowing traffic to gradually resume.
The situation continued to escalate on Wednesday morning with another protest occurring at Terminal 7, involving workers from the United Security Workers of America (USWW), the largest security union in the country. These protests are part of an ongoing labor dispute with Flying Food Group, one of LAX’s significant airline catering contractors.
Union workers, including those from Unite Here Local 11, are advocating for new contracts that include higher wages and address safety concerns. Susan Minato, co-director of Unite Here Local 11, emphasized that people often overlook those who prepare their food. “Honestly, people don’t care about the people who make the food and put it on their plates,” she said, noting their intention to make a statement through the protests.
While protests can lead to chaos at airports, Minato defended their timing, explaining that demonstrations during peak travel periods are necessary to attract attention. Although the timing may seem disruptive, it’s an effort to raise awareness about important labor issues.
Earlier this year, the union had successfully advocated for a city ordinance aimed at raising the minimum wage for hotel and airport workers to $30 by 2028. While protests were expected to wane and not disrupt traffic further, police activity was anticipated amid the high holiday rush.
