Philadelphia Airport Workers March Ahead of Democratic National Convention

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Workers at Philadelphia International Airport are marching ahead of the Democratic National Convention next week, calling for better wages and a better subcontracting system.

Twitter messages from @32BJSEIU, which describes itself as the largest property services union in the country, are saying that "poverty doesn't fly," and are demanding change ahead of the convention.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the road at the airport's arrival level and proceeded to the departures area, many wearing purple shirts bearing "32BJSEIU" and waving signs, according to Twitter accounts.

On the protest's official website, "Justice for Philly Airport Workers," the campaign points to numerous jobs which they say impoverish workers.

"While US Airways makes record profits, many of the men and women who provide important passenger services at the Philadelphia International Airport are left in poverty," the page reads. "Over the last year thousands of baggage handlers, skycaps, wheelchair attendants, cabin cleaners and security officers have raised their voices to demand fair wages and respect on the job. Whether they’re speaking out at City Council or a US Airways shareholders meeting, Philly airport workers are bravely calling attention to the city’s broken subcontracting system and calling for solutions that turn poverty jobs into good jobs."

Traffic on Departures Road was severely limited due to the demonstrations, and the airport said passengers leaving the airport could use the Arrivals Road to proceed.

The protest on Tuesday had been entirely peaceful as of 1 p.m.

It's not the only demonstration expected to use the Democratic National Convention, which begins on July 25, as a platform to broadcast views. Marches on climate change and civil rights are expected in the days leading up to, and during, the convention.