NEW YORK – About 30 baggage handlers, protesting unfair labour practices, have set up a picket line outside the British Airways terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport.

Spokeswoman Amity Paye says the one-day strike involves workers who are employed by Aviation Safeguards. They walked out at 6 a.m. Thursday.

Paye says they represent the first of four shifts of about 100 workers who are expected to join the picket line throughout the day.

Calls to Aviation Safeguards and British Airways were not immediately returned.

Paye says the baggage handlers are fighting for the right to unionize, higher wages and benefits.