LOS ANGELES —
Workers who provide "curb-to-cabin" services for major airlines at Los Angeles International Airport are picketing outside Terminal 2 Friday in a protest targeting a company that union officials say has not agreed to a new contract.
Friday is the end of a three-week cooling-off period, during which members of Service Employees International Union Local 1877 refrained from protesting. The cooling-off period was brokered by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The workers, who earn about $10 an hour, are not employed by the airlines, but by sub-contractors Aero Port Services, Air Serv, American Building Maintenance, Aviation Safeguards, Lee's Maintenance, One Source, Service Performance, World Service and G2 Secure Staff.
Union spokesman Mike Chavez said talks have gone well with all of those companies except Aviation Safeguards.
"That is the one that really is not making any sort of progress and unwilling to meet these higher standards for service and security," Chavez said.
A representative for Aviation Safeguards was not available to comment.
The 2,500 airline workers represented by the union provide services such as baggage handling, wheelchair assistance and airplane cleaning. They are seeking higher wages and affordable health care.
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