Philadelphia International Airport workers reached a deal with American Airlines to keep 1,000 employees on the job, which lead to the cancellation of a planned strike during the Democratic National Convention earlier this week.
On July 12, the workers took a vote of 461-5 in favor of a strike seeking a wage increase from a $12 to $15 minimum wage, improved scheduling, clarity on sick pay and the ability to join a union.
The deal was brokered by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf kept workers on the job while tens of thousand of delegates, party officials, journalists and spectators travel to the city.
"Many of these folks will be traveling by air to Philadelphia for the convention, and the Airport will be their first impression of the City. We want to make sure it's a positive one," Airport CEO Chellie Cameron said in a news release. "We have a unique opportunity to connection with the people attending the convention and to ensure that they begin and end their visit with a good feeling about Philadelphia.
The Division of Aviation deployed employees throughout terminals to greet and assist delegates. There were also specific volunteers from the DNC Host Committee and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitor Bureau (PHLCVB) stations in the baggage claim area.
But the push for a first impression didn't end there, there were complimentary Tastykakes and soft pretzels in the baggage claim, along with historical figure impersonators of Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross and Alexander Hamilton. There was a pop-up theater as well.
The seven terminals, retail shops and restaurants were all decorated, or feature special sales and DNC merchandise.
