Airport workers demanding higher wages stage protest at LAX

Hundreds of unionized airport workers marched through several terminals at LAX on this hectic travel day, demanding wage increases they say are long overdue.

KNX News' Pete Demetriou reports that everyone from aircraft cabin cleaners to baggage handlers participated in the march, asking for pay that would allow them to work AND live in Los Angeles .

Sebastian Silva with United Service Workers West said they're sending the L.A. City Council a message that their definition of 'living wage' is no longer a proper livable wage.

"We're calling on the city council to act now," Silva said. "To come back early from their recess, raise their wages, and give them access to more affordable health care."

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One union member, Maria Vasquez, says she and other workers haven't had a pay increase since 2020. This puts their salaries out of line with general wages and increases mandated by other cities and the State.

Employees want to jump from $18 to $25 an hour and gradually increase to $30 an hour by 2028 - something they think is doable, given California's changes in workers' minimum wages in other industries.

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