Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport catering workers are protesting over what they call unsafe working conditions.
A group of those workers gathered at the MSP Airport to demand an immediate end to a single operator catering policy. They argue it creates hazardous working conditions since its introduction by employer, LSG SkyChefs, in 2025.
Habtom Weldegiorgis has been a driver for LSG Sky Chefs for over 11 years.
"It's a lot of hard work every day, and we have a lot of pressure on us," Weldegiorgis says. "The airlines need their flights to leave on time, and we can be assigned with very tight departure times. Which means we have to rush."
Labor union UNITE HERE Local 17 is representing the employees, and the push has garnered support from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison who also attended their protest on Monday.
Employees are calling for the immediate elimination of a policy that requires one driver to load heavy carts, navigate busy tarmacs, and service aircraft alone.
Ellison says he is supporting the call to action.
"Part of the cost of running your business is a safe working environment, and you cannot short strip, cut corners, and all of that just so you could squeeze out a few more pennies," Ellison adds.
Union members report the current policy has caused back and shoulder injuries for workers, and a recent accident that left a coworker paralyzed.
