1,000 New York City Airport Workers to Strike

This Wednesday, more than 1,000 New York City airport workers plan to go on strike, possibly affecting air travel at New York-JFK and LaGuardia (LGA) airports. Baggage handlers, security guards and wheelchair attendants contracted by Aviation Safeguards — which provides their services to Delta, British Airways and United at both JFK and LGA — have called this strike in order to press their employer for benefits and a $15 hourly wage.

Service Employees Union Local 32BJ says that the strike will begin at Delta terminals at JFK at 10pm Wednesday, and LGA at 6am Thursday. The union said that Aviation Safeguards "has threatened to fire workers for striking and otherwise violated organizing rights."

Thankfully, the proposed strike times fall outside of the busiest travel periods of the week, but if you're planning on traveling in or out of JFK on Wednesday night or LaGuardia on Thursday morning on Delta, British Airways or United, be sure to check with your airline and leave yourself plenty of time in the event of delays.

So far, none of the affected airlines have issued any travel advisories with regards to the strike. If an advisory is issued, however, you may be eligible to reschedule your flight or fly into nearby Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which is not affected by the union action.
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