Airport Workers to Protest at LAX

Some 200 workers are expected to demonstrate in two terminals at Los Angeles International Airport over the loss of health benefits

More than 200 airport workers were expected to rally at LAX on Monday afternoon to fight for health care benefits.

Aviation Safeguards, a contractor and subsidiary of Command Security Corp. of Lagrangeville, N.Y., provides passenger services at LAX. The company recently announced it is terminating its contract with employees. As a result, workers will lose their health care benefits on Feb. 1.

Aviation Safeguards’ top clients at LAX include Virgin Atlantic, United Continental, Air France and Alaska.

Demonstrators are calling attention to the health benefits cuts coming at the same time as the these clients are reporting more than $2.5 billion in net profits last year.

“Aviation Safeguards is leading a race to the bottom by the greediest 1 percent at LAX to make even bigger profits by breaking agreements with workers and taking away health care,” said Mike Garcia, an organizer for the event. “It’s time to fight for an airport that works for everyone.”

Airport workers are expected to march between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday at the LAX departures level, between Terminal 6 and Terminal 7. They are expected to be carrying pickets and banners, and banging drums and chanting while marching throughout LAX terminals.

LAX officials say Los Angeles Airport Police and Los Angeles Police Department officers say they don’t expect any delays to services at LAX and they will be monitoring the demonstration.

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“It is anticipated the event will be peaceful,” said LAX Officer Alicia Hernandez in a statement. “No passengers or flight operations will be impacted.”

A call to Command Security Corp. was not immediately returned.

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