Janitors responsible for cleaning aircraft for Delta Air Lines and United Airlines at Boston’s Logan International Airport have gone on strike over a contract dispute.
Over 100 of Philadelphia-based Aramark Corp. employees remove trash and clean toilets from aircraft parked overnight at the airport. According to the Associated Press, many of the workers receive just $8 to $9 an hour with very few or no benefits. They say they’re mistreated and disrespected by management.
The janitors say the 24-hour strike is to combat Aramark’s bad faith in negotiations on their first union contract. The strike began Wednesday night and is supposed to end Thursday night, but it is unclear when the two groups will settle.
Although it is likely the workers have second jobs during the day, $8-$9 an hour is not enough compensation. While I’m not completely familiar with the tasks relating to these specific workers, I am aware that cleaning crews are responsible for checking the aircraft for security (in addition to cleaning) by checking each seat individually – in addition to regular cleaning.
Should labor be compensated more or less?
