A group of 259 service workers at Portland International Airport will have a union — and a chance to improve wages and working conditions. On Dec. 29, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 49 announced that airport service contractor Huntleigh USA will voluntarily recognize a union for its Portland airport employees, after the union turned in signed authorizations from a majority of the workers.
The Huntleigh workers perform a variety of service tasks at the airport, including helping passengers who are in a wheelchair, handling bags at curb-side check-in, and expediting movement of passengers though security lines. The workers currently earn minimum wage.
