CLT Airport Worker living in storage unit now faces eviction

CHARLOTTE, NC – Hundreds of workers at Charlotte Douglas International airport say they aren’t making a living wage.

Some employees contracted to perform tasks like cleaning planes and assisting disabled passengers say they are facing homelessness because of low wages.

Timothy Lowe has been living inside a five by ten storage unit in North Charlotte since October.

“I was trying to get an apartment or get a studio or get something like that, and I couldn’t afford it,” Lowe said. “So, I the only option that I found was for me to get a storage.”

Lowe works as a wheelchair assist agent at CLT making $12.50 an hour with the possibility of tips, he says a storage unit is the only shelter he can afford.

“It’s a lot of people that’s here in Charlotte that are going through the same thing, but it’s because of the low wages,” Lowe said. “If the housing wasn’t so high, then people wouldn’t resort to living in a storage.”

Lowe was a part of the group of workers in the Service Employees International Union that walked off the job on the Monday before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel days of the year, demanding higher wages. The union represents hundreds of workers employed by Prospect Airport Services and ABM Industries.

“I’m speaking for many people, probably 20 more people like me, that work at the airport that have low wages where they can’t afford, people renting u-hauls just to live in it,” Lowe said.

WCCB reached out to Prospect and ABM via email. Neither of the companies returned out calls about wage increases. The district leader for the union says she’s committed to helping secure a living wage for the workers.

“These are very, very essential workers there and they mean a lot,” Neicy Brown, district diector of SEIU Workers United said. “These workers are looking for justice. They’re looking for better wages, better treatment and dignity and respect on the job.”

Lowe is still working at the airport to make ends meet, but is now facing eviction since it’s against the rules to live in storage units.

“I’m kind of lost right now for the holiday, trying to figure out how to get another place for all my belongings,” Lowe said.

Union representatives say they also staged a walkout during the Memorial Day Holiday. They plan to keep striking to send a message to Prospect and ABM.