ARIZONA NEWS

Could East Coast airport strike impact Thanksgiving travel at Phoenix Sky Harbor?

Nov 25, 2024, 8:25 AM | Updated: 8:43 am

Worker strike...

Passengers walk past a union ballot drop box at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

(AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

PHOENIX — A worker strike at an East Coast airport could potentially impact Thanksgiving week travel at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

If the dispute over low wages at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the major hub for American Airlines connections, leads to flight delays, it could have a ripple effect across the nation.

So far, it was business as usual at Sky Harbor as Thanksgiving travel was ramping up.

“We’re not seeing any impacts yet, but it’s always a good idea for travelers to check their flight status with their airline before they come to the airport,” Heather Shelbrack, a Sky Harbor spokeswoman, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning on Monday.

Shelbrack said she expects the Phoenix airport to be congested all week, with Wednesday and Saturday the heaviest days.

“We’re expecting this Thanksgiving holiday to be very busy,” she said.

What led to worker strike at Charlotte airport?

Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots Friday to authorize the worker strike in North Carolina.

The Service Employees International Union announced the strike in a statement early Monday, saying the workers would demand “an end to poverty wages and respect on the job during the holiday travel season.” The strike was expected to last 24 hours, said union spokesperson Sean Keady.

The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs.

Charlotte Douglas officials said in a statement Monday morning that they were “monitoring and actively engaged with all partners to ensure terminal operations are not impacted.”

ABM said it would take steps to minimize disruptions. Prospect Airport Services said last week that the company recognizes the seriousness of the potential for a strike during the busy holiday travel season.

Airport officials have said this holiday travel season is expected to be the busiest on record, with an estimated 1.02 million passengers departing the airport between last Thursday and the Monday after Thanksgiving.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approv...

David Veenstra

2 state employees convicted of receiving bribes

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims.

4 hours ago

pay raise for troopers Arizona Department of Public Safety 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Katie Hobbs says DPS troopers, who seized 2,647 pounds of fentanyl pills last year, deserve 5% raise

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs reiterated her desire to institute a pay raise for troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Tuesday.

5 hours ago

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

David Veenstra

Arizona Supreme Court grants request to carry out state’s 1st execution since 2022

The Arizona Supreme Court granted a request to carry out the state's first execution since 2022, authorities announced on Tuesday.

8 hours ago

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself an...

David Veenstra

Arizona woman pleads guilty in fraud scheme that benefited North Korea

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself and for North Korea. 

8 hours ago

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

10 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Could East Coast airport strike impact Thanksgiving travel at Phoenix Sky Harbor?