Airport workers at LAX protest against ‘environmental racism’ with support from major labor union.

Airport Workers⁢ Protest at LAX for Stricter Airline Emissions Regulations

Airport workers, supported by ⁢one of the biggest labor unions in the nation, staged a protest at LAX⁣ Airport this week to demand stricter airline emissions regulations. The protest, ⁤organized by the‍ Service Employees International Union United ​Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW) organization, Airport ⁣Workers United (AWU), ​took place in⁤ front of a departures terminal at ⁣the airport.

The protesters used powerful​ chants like ⁣”No justice, no peace” and “No clean air, no peace” to draw attention to the issue of environmental racism. They called on the California Air Resources Board (CARB)‌ to regulate airline industry emissions during ⁢their upcoming meeting on September 14.

No justice! NO PEACE!
No clean air! NO PEACE!
Standing up⁤ to hold ‍the airlines accountable⁣ for‌ their emissions’ impacts on black and brown communities. @GoodAirports @SenHenryStern @LAANE @LN4S pic.twitter.com/IILT080Sfo

— SEIU USWW (@seiuusww) August 31,‌ 2023

The SEIU-UWW highlighted that ⁣the airline industry is the fourth-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to ‍extreme heat and respiratory diseases in⁣ minority communities.⁤ They emphasized the impact of⁢ airline emissions on airport workers and the predominantly black and brown communities surrounding LAX.

The‌ protestors are urging CARB to include​ jet fuel in the Low Carbon Fuel Standard ⁤(LCFS) ​and regulate airline industry emissions similar to ⁣other industries. ‌Currently, LCFS regulations⁣ do not‍ apply to conventional jet fuel ⁢and ⁣certain credit-generating fossil fuels.

Featured speakers at the protest included​ workers JoVann Houston and Oscar Antonio, as well as Democratic California State Senator Henry Stern. Houston, who⁤ suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), spoke about the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on communities‌ of color.

Airline emissions are killing black ‌and brown communities!⁢ So airport workers are ⁣standing up against the powerful airlines to HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!@LAANE @LN4S @HenrySternCA pic.twitter.com/OXAOec9Yan

— ⁣SEIU USWW⁣ (@seiuusww)⁢ August ⁣31, ‌2023

Oscar Antonio, another worker at LAX, shared his experience of developing respiratory ​diseases due to working at the airport. He echoed the union’s call for airlines‌ to reduce the carbon content of jet ‍fuel.

California State Senator Henry Stern ‌emphasized the need for airlines to be held⁤ accountable‍ for ​their emissions. He ⁤supported California’s​ ban on new gas-powered cars and called for jet fuel to be held to the same ‍standards as other ​fuels.

The protest aimed to raise awareness about the ‌impact of airline emissions on marginalized communities and to push for stricter regulations to combat climate change.

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