LA airport service workers walk off the job

LOS ANGELES - Roughly 2,500 members of a union representing skycaps, janitors and other service workers at Los Angeles International Airport walked off the job Thursday before the start of the Labor Day weekend.

Striking members of Service Employees International Union Local 1871 began picketing after negotiators called off contract talks with companies that contract with major airlines for baggage handling, cleaning in aircraft cabins and terminals, security, wheelchair assistance and other services.

"We have been giving proposals to improve service and security for the airport and airlines, but there's been no serious response from them," union spokesman Mike Chavez said. He noted the companies refused to make a contract offer despite two months of negotiations and the presence of a federal mediator.

An airport spokeswoman said the strike did not cause any immediate flight disruptions.

Chavez said non-union workers were filling in for the companies. It wasn't immediately clear how long the walkout might last.

The union members voted last Thursday to give leaders the authority to call for a strike.

Union officials had been trying to negotiate individual contracts with nine subcontractors to get higher wages and better training and health care benefits. They said the workers earn an average salary of $19,000 a year.

Calls to the subcontractors, including Air Serv Corp., Aviation Safeguards and Aero Port Services Inc. were not immediately returned.

Chris Colmenares said Aviation Safeguards paid him $9.79 an hour seven years ago when he worked as a wheelchair attendant. He said he left the job for a few years, and when he was rehired by the company in November, he was paid $9.71 an hour to perform the same task.

"That's an 8 cent decrease over seven years, it doesn't make sense," Colmenares, 25, said.