ARLINGTON, Va. (WUSA9) -- Airport workers in the D.C. area say they're struggling to make ends meet on the low wages paid by airline contractors.
The workers also accuse one contractor of conducting illegal surveillance of workers and interrogating those who are trying to unionize.
Skycaps, wheelchair attendants and airplane cabin cleaners have repeatedly said they're now working for two jobs to make ends needs. For Julius Harris, it wasn't like this when he first began his career as an airport skycap 47 years ago.
"When we started, it was fun. You came in with a smile and leave with a smile," Harris said.
Now, wages are down and benefits are gone. Veteran skycaps make just $3.77 an hour.
"We work on tips. Actually, a lot of people don't even know we work on tips. I don't know why it's such a secret, but it is," James Simms, another Skycap, said.
The skycaps of the past have a lot of competition in 2016. Luggage on wheels, carts for rent and airport check-in machines that provide boarding passes.
Actor and activist Danny Glover grew up in what he describes as a union family.
"For me, the greatest anti-poverty program that I know is a union," Glover said.
Glover came to Reagan National Airport Wednesday to support the workers and deliver a petition to unionize bearing 100 signatures. He planned to bring it directly to airline contractor, Eulen America.
"It's painful. It's painful. Because the next step if they're not working two or three jobs, the next step is to be homeless," Glover said.
Some workers were starstruck by the appearance of Glover and political activist and academic Cornel West, who just happened to be passing through. But Eulen America refused to meet with Glover, nor would it accept the petition.
Eulen America also did not reply to WUSA9's request for comment.
Last September, 14 charges were filed against Eulen America, accusing the contractor of illegally interrogating airport workers about their union activities. The National Labor Relations Board issued an unfair labor practice complaint. That case is pending.
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