Flight attendants from Southwest and United Airlines picketed outside of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Tuesday, as union workers seek a new contract.
Members of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556 held signs outside of Terminal 1 at LAX that read “It’s time” and “make it right,” as the flight attendants and airline workers have made demands for terms in their next collective bargaining agreement with the airlines.
“The ideas we have provided @SouthwestAir would help flight crews AND passengers,” TWU Local wrote on its official Twitter page. “A better operation will mean a better quality of life with fewer reroutes & technology failures that leave passengers AND flight attendants stranded.”
The changes TWU has asked for are unique to the profession, including safe rest periods for flight attendants, “control over personal schedules” when away from work, access to food and a sleeping quarters when traveling, regulation over airline tech failures and ending the 24-hour on-call practice. More traditional changes to the contract include higher pay and access to what they believe is more practical health insurance.
It’s time for @SouthwestAir to Make It Right! It’s been wrong way too long. #MakeItRightSWA I stand with @TWU556 for improved working conditions.
Please share and tag your friends!#TWU556 ❤️ 💙 💛 https://t.co/OklfnlqSb1 pic.twitter.com/WF0m4onJE0
— TWU Local 556 (@TWU556) September 27, 2022
While picketing took place outside of LAX, union members and supporters were also seen outside of 20 other airports, including Chicago Midway International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
Off duty Delta pilots picket at LAX terminal 3. They’re demanding a new contract with higher pay. Delta says the protest is not interfering with operations. pic.twitter.com/xnW9WnujTq
— eric spillman (@ericspillman) June 30, 2022
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