MLK holiday to be day of airport protest

Workers from nine U.S. airports are planning to block bridges, march through terminals and protest at airline headquarters during a day of civil disobedience on Martin Luther King's Birthday.

The workers - a mix of cleaners, baggage handlers, fuelers, and wheelchair attendants - will risk arrest at airports and other locations to bring attention to their campaign for better wages, the Service Employees International Union said.

The actions are the latest in the airport workers' campaign for a $15-per-hour minimum wage, a benefits package and job protections. They're also protesting threats against their efforts to unionize.

At Philadelphia International Airport, several hundred carousel attendants, airplane cleanup workers, wheelchair assistants, and other low-wage workers plan to march in support of ongoing efforts to unionize and raise wages. Service Employees International Union spokeswoman Julie Blust said the march will begin at Terminal F, proceed through the airport, and conclude at Terminals B and C.

The Philadelphia march is slated to begin at noon.

The workers, like those in other cities were protests are planned, are not airport employees but rather are employed by firms that contract with the airport.

"Enough is enough. We have rallied at City Hall, delivered petitions to contractors, and even gone on strike three times. We deserve the basic dignity that Martin Luther King demanded for workers over 50 years ago," said wheelchair agent Onetha King Jr.

In Washington, Reagan National Airport workers and supporters - as many as 200 - are planning to block traffic from Independence Avenue SW, near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at the Mall, in what could cause significant gridlock to a major thoroughfare. The protesters will march along Independence Avenue, culminating with the takeover of Kutz Bridge over the Tidal Basin.

Actions are also being organized in Boston; New York; Newark, N.J.; Miami; Chicago; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle.

"These men and women are calling for real change at all these airports in the hopeful and visionary spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King," said Jaime Contreras, head of 32BJ Service Employees International Union for the Washington area. "We are protesting what we already know is a gross injustice and humiliating working conditions."

In the last few months, airport workers have held protests, rallies, and prayers, bringing attention to hourly wages that are as low as $6.75, which they say force many of those who keep the airports running into working two or three jobs to sustain their families. Besides low salaries, some workers allege discrimination, harassment, and hostile work environments.

Monday's actions could create disruptions at airports and other locations.

In New York, workers will march across the 94th Street bridge to La Guardia Airport and rally at the airport entrance. At Newark and Boston, protesters will march into the terminals and pass all ticketing agents, risking arrest inside the terminal. In Portland, workers will march through the airport and do a banner drop from skybridges at the Alaska Airlines terminal.

They will rally in front of United Airlines headquarters in Chicago and will protest outside the headquarters of airline contractor Eulen in Miami.

Staff writer Chris Mondics contributed to this article.