Protests Disrupt Holiday Travel at LAX: Demonstrations Cause Traffic Chaos and Airport Delays
Holiday travelers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) encountered significant disruptions as protesters obstructed the road outside the airport during a busy travel season. The demonstrations caused traffic outside the main airport building to come to a halt, prompting travelers to leave their vehicles and walk to the airport to catch their flights on time.
The protesters marched onto Century Boulevard on Tuesday, blocking a key entrance to the airport and disrupting traffic around LAX's main pickup and drop-off areas. Police in riot gear intervened and cleared the intersection around 6:15 p.m., gradually allowing traffic to flow again.
Another protest erupted in Terminal 7 on Wednesday morning, involving workers from USWW, the nation's largest security officers union. The protest stemmed from a labor dispute with Flying Food Group, one of LAX's major airline catering contractors. Unite Here Local 11 and Flying Food Group employees are demanding a new contract with higher wages and addressing safety and labor issues.
Susan Minato, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, emphasized the importance of drawing attention to the workers who prepare and serve food, stating that the protest aimed to make a statement. Despite the disruption caused by the protests, Minato defended the timing, asserting that demonstrations during peak travel periods are necessary to raise awareness.
Earlier this year, the union successfully advocated for a city ordinance that will raise the minimum wage for hotel and airport workers to $30 by 2028. While the protests were not anticipated to block vehicle access through Wednesday, law enforcement authorities were prepared for potential disruptions during the holiday travel rush.