Those who plan to leave LAX today can expect a very busy day, because the worker protests that have already been jamming traffic are still in full swing.
Hundreds of employees from the hospitality union Unite Here Local 11—which represents thousands of hotel, food‑service, and airport workers all across Southern California—crashed onto Century Boulevard on Tuesday night, blocking the pickup and drop‑off lanes at the airport. The demonstrators, drawn from Flying Food Group, kept the intersection shut for almost two hours before LAPD officers in riot gear moved to clear the area after 6:15 p.m.
Later, the union announced another rally. They plan to gather on the upper level of the airport between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday; the police say the turnout could be anywhere from 100 to 120 participants. During the Tuesday demonstration, the workers demanded a fresh contract after pointing out unsafe working conditions, broken equipment, doors that were locked and posed fire risks, and wages they say are unfair.
Co‑president Susan Minato said, “Honestly, people don’t care about the people who make food and put it on their plates. We wanted to make a statement.”
The protest clogged traffic at a time when the airport is usually at its busiest. One frustrated passenger said he would miss his flight to Europe, whereas a few motorists who were watching from the car expressed that they believed the delay was worth it because the cause was important. A tweet from Matthew Seedorff read: “LAX airline catering workers say they wanted to make a statement by protesting outside the airport 2 days before Thanksgiving. LAPD has since taken control and reopened the intersection. No arrests have been reported.” (pic.twitter.com/asUKY1hwqS) — November 26, 2025
Union members defended their timing, arguing that concerns such as locked doors, fire hazards, and malfunctioning equipment have historically gone unaddressed. “It is a busy time of the year, no question,” Minato added. “But that’s also how you get some attention.”
Unite Here Local 11 is known for highly visible actions across the region, including hotel strikes and airport demonstrations that push for higher wages and better safety standards. The union also led a campaign that resulted in the city’s new minimum‑wage law for hotel and airport workers, a municipal ordinance that City Council approved earlier this year after a two‑year push by labor organizers.
A flyer in a photo of a drenched industrial kitchen highlighted that a CAL OSHA complaint was filed against Flying Food Group. This new ordinance will raise the covered workers’ hourly wage to $30 by 2028, just before the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
In September, a business‑backed effort to overturn the ordinance fell short, with organizers missing roughly 9,000 signatures needed to qualify for a repeal vote. As a result, the wage increases will continue despite opposition from major hotel, airline, and tourism interests.
The airport’s labor‑relations team is in touch with the protest organizers. Officials confirm that there are no plans for civil disobedience; airport police will be on the scene, with LAPD’s Pacific Division on standby should extra assistance be required. The officials assure that vehicle access to the airport should not be disrupted on Wednesday, but they are ready to respond if the situation changes during the holiday rush.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
