SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Hundreds of workers rallied in downtown San Diego Tuesday for higher wages and in support of social justice causes.
Earlier in the day, workers demonstrated at a McDonald's restaurant in Barrio Logan, and at Terminal 1 at Lindbergh Field, where many employees are in low-wage jobs like janitors, baggage handlers and cashiers.
The demonstrations are part of the Service Employees International Union's Fight for 15 campaign, which seeks a $15 hourly wage for its members.
"The disparity between what the CEO gets and what the workers get is phenomenal, and it's not going to hurt them to pay a living wage," Rev. Beth Johnson, of the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice, told NBC San Diego outside the McDonald's.
Demonstrators walked inside the eatery and along the drive-through area, according to broadcast reports.
Later, they marched through the main concourse of the terminal, defying orders from police to remain outside. Lindbergh Field was one of 20 airports targeted nationwide.
San Diego airport officials encouraged passengers traveling to Lindbergh Field during the afternoon to plan ahead and expect traffic congestion, but no major delays were noted.
Besides calling for higher pay, the union is protesting "newly elected politicians and newly empowered corporate special interests who threaten an extremist agenda to move the country to the right."
Labor leaders promised to fight what they called efforts to block wage increases, gut workers' rights, obstruct access to health care, deport illegal immigrants, or support homophobic or racist policies.