Labor union creates chaos at LAX during holiday rush to demand better working conditions

Hundreds of airline catering workers shut down a major entrance to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Monday, blocking roads for nearly two hours during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. The disruption on the eve of Thanksgiving forced some travelers to leave vehicles behind and walk to the airport terminals as traffic ground to a halt.

Protesters organized by Unite Here Local 11 and employees of Flying Food Group picketed along Century Boulevard and outside LAX’s pickup and drop off areas. The activists demanded a new labor contract and alleged workplace issues including unsafe conditions, broken equipment, locked doors that they said create fire hazards, and unfair wages.

Union leaders said the action was intended to pressure Flying Food Group, which they accuse of “past citations for safety and minimum wage violations.”

“Honestly, people don’t care about the people who make food and put it on their plates,” Susan Minato, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, told Fox 11. “We wanted to make a statement.”

The protest created immediate traffic chaos during peak travel hours as crowds of workers chanted and held signs in the middle of the intersection. A massive backup stretched along Century Boulevard.

The outlet’s crew captured one traveler shouting “I’m going to miss my f*cking flight to Europe,” while abandoning his car.

With Thanksgiving travel this week, LAX expects some of its highest passenger volumes of the year. Protest organizers acknowledged the timing but defended it. “It is a busy time of the year, no question,” Minato added. “But that’s also how you get some attention.”

Los Angeles police officers in riot gear arrived shortly after 6:15 pm to disperse the crowd and reopen the road. Traffic began flowing again before the evening rush. It is unclear whether any protesters were cited or arrested.

As the crowd dispersed, several workers shouted while leaving the area, “We’ll be back.”