More bad news for the Airlines

[unapatriciated]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-strike22-2008aug22,0,6293683.story
A union representing 2,500 service workers at Los Angeles International Airport has voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, said union officials, who finished tallying the votes early this morning.

The workers include sky captains, baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants, airplane cabin cleaners and security personnel who monitor terminals and cargo areas, said Mike Chavez, a spokesman for Airport Workers United, which is part of Service Employees International Union Local 1877.

Workers are asking for better job training, increased pay, improved medical coverage, equipment and staff support. Chavez said workers are paid an average of $10 an hour and 97% have no family healthcare. As a result, job turnover rate has gone up to 50% in some cases, he said.

"It's really driving a race to the bottom in terms of service and safety standards," he said.

The 95% approval vote gives union negotiators the go-ahead to call a strike at any time, Chavez said. The workers union has been in talks with airline subcontractors, who hire for the service jobs, since July, Chavez said.