Los Angeles International Airport workers and area residents held a rally Tuesday, Nov. 9 at LAX to oppose a $6 billion modernization plan they say will cause increased traffic, noise and air pollution at the airport and in surrounding neighborhoods.
They’re also looking to ensure they’re paid enough for the work they do.
Under L.A.’s Living Wage Ordinance, airport workers currently earn a minimum of $17 an hour, but union officials say that’s not enough to offset rising home costs and other inflationary expenses related to parking and transportation.
The employees — including cabin cleaners, baggage handlers, wheelchair assistants, janitors and others — are represented by SEIU United Service Workers West, which employs about 2,600 people at LAX.


“They are very concerned about the environmental impact on their health,” said Jane Martin, director of SEIU’s airport division. “Many of them live near the airport.”
‘A big cloud of smoke’

Jovan Houston, a customer service agent at LAX who suffers from breathing related problems, is among them. Her home is about seven miles away.
“I work in a bag room directly across from the jetway,” the 39-year-old Los Angeles resident said. “As soon as they start up the engines on a plane there’s a big cloud of smoke.”
Los Angeles World Airport’s (LAWA) Board of Airport Commissioners approved the Airfield and Terminal Modernization Project‘s environmental impact report on Oct. 7. Following that, SEIU and a coalition of environmental groups and area residents filed a formal appeal to the decision.
L.A.’s Trade, Travel and Tourism committee was scheduled to review the EIR on Tuesday, Nov. 9, followed by a full City Council review the following day, Martin said.