On August 24th, the Service Employees International Union Local 1877 struck for higher wages, better training, and improved working conditions after two months of unsuccessful negotiations. The Local represents about 2,500 airport service workers, such as baggage runners, security personnel and wheelchair attendants, employed by private agencies which contract with the airline. The strike was ended after 24 hours, when the Los Angeles Mayor requested a 3-week cooling-off period. In a statement Friday, Barack Obama endorsed the workers? actions, saying that ?The demands they?re fighting for aren?t unreasonable ? access to healthcare, adequate training, proper equipment, wages that can support a family. They?re what America?s workers deserve.?
See "Barack Obama supports LAX airline service workers", Dan Weikel, Los Angeles Times, September 7, 2008