600+ out of work at Charlotte’s airport amid restaurant closures, union says
Hundreds of restaurant workers at Charlotte’s airport have been laid off or are on unpaid leave, the union that represents them said.
The UNITE HERE Local 23, the union that represents the workers, said more than 600 employees at Charlotte Douglas International Airport concessions were given the option of being temporarily laid off or taking unpaid leave. They are employed by HMSHost, the union said, a Maryland-based food service company that operates concessions in airports across the country.
An HMSHost media representative did not respond to requests for comment.
On Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper ordered the closure of all restaurants and bars, except for takeout and delivery orders. The union said workers at all of the sit-down restaurants have been told not to come to work, with only about eight take-out food vendors in the airport remaining open.
Between 1,200 and 1,300 workers are employed by HMS at Charlotte Douglas, the union said.
In a statement, the union said any financial support airlines and concession companies ask for from local and state governments should include money for airport employees. For example, Atlanta’s city council voted this week to give airport shops and restaurants in the city’s airport a break on rent. And airlines are asking the U.S. government for a $50 billion bailout.
“Any relief given to Charlotte airlines or airport concessionaires must not be a blank check – it should be tied to paying airport and airline contract workers,” the union said in statement.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 5:46 PM.
