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Jul. 1 — Airport service workers marched at San Francisco International Airport Monday, calling for better pay, benefits and training as a way to improve airline passenger customer service.

The rally came as the busy summer travel season shifts into gear at SFO and other airports around the Bay.

It also came on the heels of a report late last month by J.D. Power and Associates on airline passengers complaining about bad service because of carrier staff cutbacks.

More than 60 workers rallied at SFO, including baggage handlers, cabin cleaners, security officers, wheelchair assistance workers, skycaps, janitors and ramp service and cargo crews.

They represented about 1,000 workers at SFO as well as 400 airport service workers at Oakland International Airport and Mineta San Jose International Airport.

There are several thousand airport workers across the state, and many of them have recently held or are planning similar demonstrations.

The workers stopped short of calling for a strike, but did not rule it out.

"This is hard work, and the cost of living is very high here, and we need to support our families," said Antonio Balotro, an SFO baggage handler. Balotro said he's fighting for affordable health care, and wants a raise from his $11.88 per hour salary. Most service workers earn about $19,000 a year.