March 23, 2016
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
Juanita Acree, a member of the union that had planned to strike, attended a vigil on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at Philadelphia International Airport to show solidarity with the victims and families affected by the recent bombings in Brussels, Belgium.
Subcontracted airport workers in 32 states across the country were set to strike on Wednesday.
Instead, the Philadelphia International Airport workers – members of the Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ – held a memorial service and solidarity vigil for those injured in the recent bombing attacks in Brussels, Belgium.
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The planned 24-hour strike, intended to draw attention to labor practices, health, wage and safety concerns, as well as other issues, was canceled.
"It wouldn't feel right to go on strike knowing people overseas have lost their lives," said Alfred Williams, 29, a union member.
During the memorial, union members displayed white carnations and held hands in prayer for those who were injured or killed in Tuesday's attacks.
"It's important to show solidarity," he said. "We understand what they are going through and we have to make sure that it doesn't happen here, or anywhere, ever again."
Bombs at the Brussels Airport and in a subway on the Brussels Metro killed at least 31 people and injured more than 270 in a terror attack that the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for, according to the Associated Press.
"We live at a time where this can happen anywhere," said Daisy Cruz, mid-Atlantic director of the SEIU'S 32BJ local.
Alfred Williams (right, in hat) and other subcontracted Philadelphia International Airport workers came together Wednesday, March 23, 2016, during a vigil in solidarity with the victims and families affected by the recent bombings in Brussels, Belgium.
With the memory of the attacks still fresh in everyone's minds, a concern that these types of attacks - or other copycat bombings - could occur anywhere and at any time permeated the memorial service, with many there admitting that this attack made them question their own safety while working at the airport.
"It's crazy that happened," said Miguel Kardis, an airport worker who was not a member of the union, but wanted to attend the memorial.
Kardis said that he used to load luggage for the flights to Brussels from Philadelphia. The recent attacks made him wonder if something similar could happen here.
"I used to do that flight every day," he said. "To think that someone could do that, I imagine, 'What if I had to carry that bag?'"
Some in attendance on Wednesday said they are concerned that these attacks could color how they are viewed by travelers through the airport.
Maliki McLaughlin, 22, is an airport worker and Muslim who lives in West Philadelphia.
"As a Muslim, you get profiled all the time," said McLaughlin. "People don't know if you're 'one of those kind.'"
McLaughlin said that the recent bombings highlight how terrorist attacks can occur without warning and noted that, by using the words "those kind," she meant the radical Muslims who make up the Islamic State.
"I don't want people to look at me like I'm going to hurt somebody, because I'm not," she said.
Fellow Muslim union member Mercedes Jones, 21, agreed.
"I'm also a Muslim, and I don't want people to look at me like I'm a terrorist," said Jones.
After the brief memorial, Williams said there are no plans, yet, to reschedule the planned strike.
"Right now, the focus is on the people of Brussels," said Williams. "The strike isn't important right now."
