Travel Disruptions at LAX Due to Protests
Travelers heading out of Los Angeles International Airport are in for another challenging day as protests by airline employees continue to disrupt operations.
On Tuesday evening, hundreds of workers from the Unite Here Local 11, a significant hospitality union covering hotel, food service, and airport workers in Southern California, marched along Century Boulevard, blocking traffic around LAX’s pick-up and drop-off areas.
The demonstration included employees from the Flying Food Group and lasted for almost two hours until Los Angeles police, donned in riot gear, cleared the intersection just after 6:15 p.m.
Organizers are planning another demonstration on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with an anticipated turnout of about 100 to 120 participants, according to airport police.
The protesting workers demand a new contract, citing unsafe working conditions, malfunctioning equipment, locked doors that could pose fire hazards, and unfair pay.
“Honestly, it feels like nobody cares about the people who make the food and serve it,” remarked Susan Minato, co-director of Unite Here Local 11. “We just wanted to make a statement.”
The protests have been notorious for causing significant traffic delays during a hectic travel season. One frustrated traveler reportedly said, “I missed my flight to Europe.” Yet, some drivers displayed their support for the cause, feeling it was worth the inconvenience.
Union members defended the timing of the protests, emphasizing ongoing concerns around locked doors and damaged equipment. Minato said, “It’s a busy time of year, no doubt about it. But it’s also a necessary way to attract attention.”
Unite Here Local 11 is known for its impactful labor actions in Southern California, including strikes for higher wages and public demonstrations aimed at improving safety and staffing conditions in airports.
This union, representing thousands of hospitality workers in Los Angeles, significantly influenced the proposed minimum wage ordinance that was approved earlier this year after a two-year campaign by labor groups. The initiative seeks to raise the minimum wage to $30 an hour for eligible workers by 2028, coinciding with the upcoming Olympics.
Furthermore, efforts to repeal the ordinance were unsuccessful, as organizers fell short by around 9,000 signatures needed for a ballot initiative.
The airport’s labor relations department has been in touch with the protest organizers, stating that no plans for civil disobedience were in place. Airport police will be monitoring the situation and are ready to respond if needed, with support from the Los Angeles Police Department if conditions worsen during this busy holiday period.
