US: Workers at Reagan National Airport stage ‘sleep-in’ to protest low wages

Workers at Reagan National Airport staged a “sleep-in” Tuesday night to protest low wages as part of their ongoing campaign to pressure the authority that oversees the facility. Flights and operations at the airport were not disrupted. According to a statement from 32BJ Service Employees International Union, which represents many of the workers, roughly 100 workers have contracts at Dulles International and Reagan National airports but “can’t afford rent or transportation to and from work.” The union also said other workers “lack the time to go home between shifts and other jobs,” the statement said. The union is pushing for $15 an hour pay for contracted service workers; some workers now make as little as $6.75 an hour. Their jobs range from wheelchair attendants to baggage carriers and cleaners for terminals and planes. About 15 people participated in the “sleep-in” Tuesday night, and another 15 were expected to join them Wednesday morning at a board meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which oversees Dulles and Reagan National airports.<br/>