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1,200 Airport Workers in N.Y.C. Area Abruptly Laid Off With No Severance 1,200 Airport Workers in N.Y.C. Area Abruptly Laid Off With No Severance
(2 months later)
Maria Campos had worked as a waitress at La Guardia Airport for more than 30 years until Tuesday, when her career came to an abrupt halt that left her scared and empty-handed. She was ordered to turn in her airport access badge and told she would receive no severance pay and would soon run out of health insurance.Maria Campos had worked as a waitress at La Guardia Airport for more than 30 years until Tuesday, when her career came to an abrupt halt that left her scared and empty-handed. She was ordered to turn in her airport access badge and told she would receive no severance pay and would soon run out of health insurance.
With air travel in free fall as the coronavirus pandemic worsens across the country, thousands of workers like Ms. Campos have been laid off from their jobs at the major airports that serve New York City.With air travel in free fall as the coronavirus pandemic worsens across the country, thousands of workers like Ms. Campos have been laid off from their jobs at the major airports that serve New York City.
More than 1,200 of these laid-off workers were employed in restaurants and stores operated by OTG at La Guardia, Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International airports, according to the union that represents them, Unite Here Local 100.More than 1,200 of these laid-off workers were employed in restaurants and stores operated by OTG at La Guardia, Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International airports, according to the union that represents them, Unite Here Local 100.
OTG said the closings and layoffs were necessary because of the travel restrictions that had virtually grounded airlines. One of its senior executives is Lawrence Schwartz, a close ally of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.OTG said the closings and layoffs were necessary because of the travel restrictions that had virtually grounded airlines. One of its senior executives is Lawrence Schwartz, a close ally of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
“You can’t pay people” when the company is taking in very little revenue, said Mr. Schwartz.“You can’t pay people” when the company is taking in very little revenue, said Mr. Schwartz.
“The airports are dead,” he added. “No one’s flying.”“The airports are dead,” he added. “No one’s flying.”
OTG, one of the biggest operators of airport concessions in New York, informed its workers that they would receive no severance, and that their health insurance would lapse on March 31.OTG, one of the biggest operators of airport concessions in New York, informed its workers that they would receive no severance, and that their health insurance would lapse on March 31.
Many workers said they resented the way OTG handled the layoffs.Many workers said they resented the way OTG handled the layoffs.
Edith Muzquiz, a bartender in Terminal C at Newark Liberty, said she was called into a meeting in an OTG restaurant there at 11 p.m. on Monday and told, along with a few dozen other employees, that they were being laid off immediately.Edith Muzquiz, a bartender in Terminal C at Newark Liberty, said she was called into a meeting in an OTG restaurant there at 11 p.m. on Monday and told, along with a few dozen other employees, that they were being laid off immediately.
She said they were escorted out and told to surrender their badges.She said they were escorted out and told to surrender their badges.
On Wednesday, she received an official notice from OTG that said, “You should consider your layoff to be permanent as the situation is unprecedented and the effects are unknown.”On Wednesday, she received an official notice from OTG that said, “You should consider your layoff to be permanent as the situation is unprecedented and the effects are unknown.”
The notice went on to say that “OTG is not offering severance packages, however due to the impact the COVID-19 is having on the nation, many local governments are offering additional assistance to impaired workers.”The notice went on to say that “OTG is not offering severance packages, however due to the impact the COVID-19 is having on the nation, many local governments are offering additional assistance to impaired workers.”
Ms. Muzquiz, who had worked for OTG in the airport for five years, said she understood the predicament the company was in, but she took issue with the message and the way it was delivered: a curt dismissal that offered no compensation or benefits to help employees left jobless in an economy that is cratering.Ms. Muzquiz, who had worked for OTG in the airport for five years, said she understood the predicament the company was in, but she took issue with the message and the way it was delivered: a curt dismissal that offered no compensation or benefits to help employees left jobless in an economy that is cratering.
“This isn’t our first rodeo with OTG,” she added. “How they treat their employees is not right.”“This isn’t our first rodeo with OTG,” she added. “How they treat their employees is not right.”
Ms. Campos, 57, agreed that the way that OTG treated its workers was “very not fair.”Ms. Campos, 57, agreed that the way that OTG treated its workers was “very not fair.”
Ms. Campos, who for the last eight years had served customers at OTG’s Prime Tavern in Terminal D, said she was especially worried about the company’s newer workers who were let go with no paid time off or accumulated sick days to use. “You run out of your sick pay, you don’t get anything,” she said. “You walk out of there with nothing.”Ms. Campos, who for the last eight years had served customers at OTG’s Prime Tavern in Terminal D, said she was especially worried about the company’s newer workers who were let go with no paid time off or accumulated sick days to use. “You run out of your sick pay, you don’t get anything,” she said. “You walk out of there with nothing.”
Waves of workers at airports across the country are losing their jobs as travelers evaporate, but some companies are offering their employees a financial lifeline, including extending their health care coverage.Waves of workers at airports across the country are losing their jobs as travelers evaporate, but some companies are offering their employees a financial lifeline, including extending their health care coverage.
Many restaurants and shops in once bustling airport terminals have closed with business essentially having come to a standstill.Many restaurants and shops in once bustling airport terminals have closed with business essentially having come to a standstill.
Arthur Phillips, a spokesman for Unite Here Local 100, said the union estimated that at least 2,400 of its members had been laid off from jobs in concessions or catering at the three airports that serve New York City.Arthur Phillips, a spokesman for Unite Here Local 100, said the union estimated that at least 2,400 of its members had been laid off from jobs in concessions or catering at the three airports that serve New York City.
He said about 1,280 of them had worked for OTG — about 700 at Newark Liberty and the balance at La Guardia and in two terminals at Kennedy. In addition to the OTG workers, about 650 other members of the union have been laid off at the airports, he said.He said about 1,280 of them had worked for OTG — about 700 at Newark Liberty and the balance at La Guardia and in two terminals at Kennedy. In addition to the OTG workers, about 650 other members of the union have been laid off at the airports, he said.
Other airport concessionaires, Mr. Phillips said, have been more generous to laid-off workers.Other airport concessionaires, Mr. Phillips said, have been more generous to laid-off workers.
Hudson Group, which operates Hudson News stores in many airports, was extending health insurance for two months, he said. LSG Sky Chefs, the largest airline-catering company in the country, agreed to extend health insurance benefits for three months, he said.Hudson Group, which operates Hudson News stores in many airports, was extending health insurance for two months, he said. LSG Sky Chefs, the largest airline-catering company in the country, agreed to extend health insurance benefits for three months, he said.
Mr. Schwartz said that OTG was “in financial-survival mode” and he and other executives were taking pay cuts of 50 percent and would have to forgo bonuses. Mr. Schwartz, OTG’s chief strategy officer, is also a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, a position he was appointed to by Mr. Cuomo.Mr. Schwartz said that OTG was “in financial-survival mode” and he and other executives were taking pay cuts of 50 percent and would have to forgo bonuses. Mr. Schwartz, OTG’s chief strategy officer, is also a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, a position he was appointed to by Mr. Cuomo.
Mr. Schwartz said OTG had been “very compassionate” was “trying to be very fair.”Mr. Schwartz said OTG had been “very compassionate” was “trying to be very fair.”
He said he understood how upset the company’s workers were, but explained that the company could not afford to provide severance pay or benefits.He said he understood how upset the company’s workers were, but explained that the company could not afford to provide severance pay or benefits.
“Would we love to continue providing benefits? Yes,” Mr. Schwartz said. “We feel terrible about what’s going on but we’re being forced into it.”“Would we love to continue providing benefits? Yes,” Mr. Schwartz said. “We feel terrible about what’s going on but we’re being forced into it.”
Other unionized workers at the airports also were laid off in large numbers this week, including porters and airplane cleaning crews. Notices from some of their employers showed that they, too, were offering no pay or extended health benefits.Other unionized workers at the airports also were laid off in large numbers this week, including porters and airplane cleaning crews. Notices from some of their employers showed that they, too, were offering no pay or extended health benefits.
Kyle Bragg, the president of Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, which represents thousands of workers at the airports, called on airlines to share some of the $60 billion in federal aid they have requested. “The contracted airport workers receive nothing,” Mr. Bragg said. “They earn the least, yet risk themselves the most. Many lack health care to even care for themselves in the face of this pandemic.”Kyle Bragg, the president of Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, which represents thousands of workers at the airports, called on airlines to share some of the $60 billion in federal aid they have requested. “The contracted airport workers receive nothing,” Mr. Bragg said. “They earn the least, yet risk themselves the most. Many lack health care to even care for themselves in the face of this pandemic.”
Updated June 2, 2020
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Some operators of stores and restaurants at the airports have similarly sought relief from their rent as the coronavirus pandemic has wiped out their revenue.Some operators of stores and restaurants at the airports have similarly sought relief from their rent as the coronavirus pandemic has wiped out their revenue.
The three airports are operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is jointly controlled by Mr. Cuomo and the governor of New Jersey, Philip D. Murphy. A Port Authority spokesman said the agency had tried to ensure that some shops stayed open to serve travelers.The three airports are operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is jointly controlled by Mr. Cuomo and the governor of New Jersey, Philip D. Murphy. A Port Authority spokesman said the agency had tried to ensure that some shops stayed open to serve travelers.
Unite Here has asked the Port Authority not to extend that relief to airport businesses unless they in turn provide aid to laid-off workers.Unite Here has asked the Port Authority not to extend that relief to airport businesses unless they in turn provide aid to laid-off workers.
“We would strongly suggest that rent relief only be granted when concessionaires are extending health benefits to all their workers at the airports,” Mr. Phillips said.“We would strongly suggest that rent relief only be granted when concessionaires are extending health benefits to all their workers at the airports,” Mr. Phillips said.
The Port Authority’s executive director, Rick Cotton, who has been working from his Manhattan home since he tested positive for the coronavirus, could not be reached for comment.The Port Authority’s executive director, Rick Cotton, who has been working from his Manhattan home since he tested positive for the coronavirus, could not be reached for comment.
The Port Authority responded to the workers’ complaints with a statement, saying, “We are acutely aware of the distress on airport workers who have been laid off or may be laid off as a result of the mounting impact on airport concessionaires due to COVID-19.”The Port Authority responded to the workers’ complaints with a statement, saying, “We are acutely aware of the distress on airport workers who have been laid off or may be laid off as a result of the mounting impact on airport concessionaires due to COVID-19.”
“We recognize the need for emergency action,’’ the agency added. “We made clear in our ask to the U.S. Congress the need for federal aid in this crisis. We will soon be determining near-term actions to address this profound crisis at the airports.”“We recognize the need for emergency action,’’ the agency added. “We made clear in our ask to the U.S. Congress the need for federal aid in this crisis. We will soon be determining near-term actions to address this profound crisis at the airports.”
In a letter to the congressional delegations from the two states on Thursday, Mr. Cotton and the Port Authority’s chairman, Kevin O’Toole, said “our tenants are requesting fiscal relief from rents and charges as their industries contract under the strain of this pandemic.”In a letter to the congressional delegations from the two states on Thursday, Mr. Cotton and the Port Authority’s chairman, Kevin O’Toole, said “our tenants are requesting fiscal relief from rents and charges as their industries contract under the strain of this pandemic.”
They asked for $1.9 billion in federal aid and said that passenger volumes at the airports had fallen by more than 50 percent and “threaten to continue to decline.”They asked for $1.9 billion in federal aid and said that passenger volumes at the airports had fallen by more than 50 percent and “threaten to continue to decline.”