DENVER — About 350 janitors who work at Denver International Airport will walk off the job Friday, the union representing them said. þþThe janitors are members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105. They work for contractor Flagship Facility Services and its subcontractors--not for the airport itself. þþThe previous contract between the janitors and Flagship expired Thursday night. The union said the strike comes after weeks of negotiations.þþThe union said the janitors' pay is too low, and the pandemic made their workloads worse. þþÿThe janitors, who are a majority people of color and immigrants in our community, say that the low pay is only worsening the staffing shortages at the airport, and the strike is their response to a lack of an agreement to show Flagship their determination for improved wages and working conditions,ÿ the union said in a release. þþFlagship said it hopes the union will reconsider the strike.þþÿWe're disappointed that the union has turned down our final offer for an agreement that would have protected and improved wages and provided very generous fringe benefits for our valued employees,ÿ the company said in a statement. ÿWe hope the union will reconsider. In the meantime, we are prepared to serve the public at Denver International Airport to uphold a clean and safe environment and quality service for travelers in the interim.ÿþþDenver International Airport, meanwhile, said they are working to minimize impacts to passengers.þþÿWe urge our contractor Flagship, and our janitors’ union to come to agreement quickly,ÿ the airport said in a statement. ÿWe believe they can resolve their differences. In the meantime, we are working closely with Flagship to minimize any disruption in service and impacts to DEN and our passengers.ÿþþSeveral companies that provide services at DIA are currently dealing with staffing shortages. A shortage of TSA employees has led to long security lines, and two of the airport's parking lots remain closed due to a shortage of shuttle drivers.þþ
Source: 9news.com
