Local
Charlotte airport labor dispute puts worker safeguards in spotlight as council weighs expansion deal
Dozens of unionized airport workers began a 24-hour strike seeking higher pay, safer conditions and clearer paid-time-off policies. Their action comes as Charlotte leaders consider a 10½-year airline agreement tied to a $2.1 billion airport expansion.
Dozens of Service Employees International Union members at Charlotte Douglas International Airport began a 24-hour strike Oct. 14, pressing for higher wages, improved working conditions and greater transparency about paid time off.
The walkout comes as Charlotte officials weigh a proposed 10½-year agreement with airlines to support a $2.1 billion expansion. Plans include enlarging Concourse C, constructing a passenger tunnel and upgrading international arrivals.
Workers’ concerns also intensified after the death last month of Colleen Coates, a 55-year-old contract worker who cleaned airplanes. Union members said Coates collapsed on a jet bridge while waiting to clean a plane.
Airport employee Branson Andrew said workers earn $12.50 an hour. Michelle Wilson said Coates’ death made employees feel they needed to speak up.
Workers raised safety issues during city lease negotiations with airlines in April. Braxton Winston, president of the North Carolina AFL-CIO, said the city should use its role as the airport’s landlord to ensure that companies operating there maintain standards.
The labor dispute is unfolding alongside a closely divided debate over the airport agreement. City Council voted 6-5 to require at least 45 days to review the proposed lease, but Mayor Robert Harrington vetoed the measure, saying he wanted to work with council on a different timeline. Council is expected to vote on the agreement in the coming weeks.
ABM, which employs most of the striking workers, had not responded to a request for comment by publication time.