LAX Employees Rally for Healthcare, Better Wages
More than 100 members and supporters of the S.E.I.U protested unfair wages and demanded better healthcare Thursday at a rally outside Los Angeles International Airport.
The airport workers say their wages aren't sufficient, and rising health costs and a limited health benefits package are putting extra pressure on their finances.
"It's already bad enough with the wages," said airport worker David Fausto. "We just want to maintain the health benefits."
"If the airlines would put a dollar toward every ticket," claimed airport worker Tim Maddox, "they could afford a decent wage around 15 dollars an hour and acceptable family health care."
Protest coincided with a health fair where the union provided free flu shots and blood pressure tests.
Dr. Brian Prestwich at USC's Keck School of Medicine says such union protests over health care are part of a trend toward demanding higher quality benefits.
"Not just health care, but a better care experience," Prestwich said about such protests-health fair combinations.
LAX released a statement about the rally: "Police officers will monitor the health fair/rally in the central terminal area to assure the safety of the traveling public and those involved in the rally."
