Strike Hits Los Angeles Airport as Labor Day Travel Begins

Just as flyers headed for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to leave of town for Labor Day, members of the Service Employees International Union 1877 (Web site: www.seiu.org) headed for the exits, striking the Tom Bradley International Terminal – as well as terminals occupied by American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, and discount Southwest Airlines.

The strikers, who want health care benefits and better wages, help with bags, assist wheelchair-bound passengers, clean aircraft cabins, and provide some security at the world's fifth-busiest airport. How will their walkout affect the roughly 825,000 flyers expected to pass through LAX through Monday, September 1?

“As of now there hasn’t been any sort of passenger impact,” LAX spokesperson Albert Rodriguez told Cheapflights early today (Friday, August 29). “Picketers have been conducting activities off to the side of the main entrances. All gatherings in front of the terminals have police presence.”

Given that this is a holiday weekend, Cheapflights' suggestion is that you show up at LAX earlier than usual. You also might want to leave any large luggage that you’d planned to check at home, and consolidate your belongings into a carry-on, one you can manage yourself.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler