Nearly 200 Piedmont Airlines workers are picketing outside Norfolk International Airport Monday morning in an effort to secure better wages and standards.
The airline is a subsidiary of the American Airlines Group.
The Communications Workers of America union (CWA), which represents the passenger service and ramp workers, says they “cannot wait any longer” for a collective bargaining agreement that includes improved wages, safety on the job and health care for part-time employees.
Watch: Piedmont Airlines picketing outside ORF for better wages
Piedmont Airlines picketing outside ORF for better wages
The union says they’ve been negotiating with the airline for over a year in an effort to secure these conditions.
“While parent company American Airlines raked in $13.6 billion in revenue last quarter, many Piedmont passenger service and ramp agents rely on government assistance and lack health care coverage,” CWA said in a statement.
The union also emphasized the key role the workers play in the airline’s operations, including helping with pre-flight check in, loading and unloading baggage, guiding planes on the tarmac, checking aircraft before flights depart and more.