A potential airport strike that could snarl Thanksgiving travel and a suspected outbreak of norovirus on a cruise ship are the travel industry headlines to watch this morning.
Potential Strike at Chicago O’Hare
UPDATE: Hundreds of janitors, baggage handlers, cabin cleaners and wheelchair attendants will go on strike next Tuesday, November 29, after a busy Thanksgiving travel weekend, the Chicago Tribune reports. 500 workers committed to a strike after a Thursday vote.
Workers had previously floated the possibility of striking over the Thanksgiving travel period, according to CNN Money. The workers are striking for a wage of $15 per hour. They are not unionized, but they are supported by the Service Employees International Union.
This Thanksgiving travel period promises to be a busy one. AAA forecasts that 47.8 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles from home over Thanksgiving, a 1.9 percent increase over last year and the highest level since 2007.
Norovirus Outbreak Suspected on Oosterdam
In cruise news, a suspected norovirus outbreak struck Holland America Line’s Oosterdam, causing the ship to undergo a thorough sanitation, WFLA.com reports. A number of guests had reported being sick during a 15-day transatlantic cruise that departed Rome November 3.
The outbreak was reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who said that 86 passengers and 18 crew became ill with symptoms of the virus. Enhanced sanitation procedures were implemented onboard the ship, including the disinfection of surfaces like railings, door handles and elevator buttons, and placing hand sanitizers throughout the ship.
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