Major U.S. Airlines Warn to Lay Off Thousands of Workers

Date: 15 August 2020 - 21:50

News ID: ۸۱۷۶۹

LONDON (The Guardian) - Major U.S. airlines have warned they will lay off tens of thousands of workers in October when the Cares Act payroll support program for the industry expires, raising the prospect of devastation for many workers and their families.
Fired airline workers will enter an economy still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and where weekly unemployment claims remain above 1m. The airline industry is among several where large employers have announced plans to conduct mass job cuts over the next few months.
Among the largest airlines in the U.S., thousands of workers have already taken voluntary separation agreements, early retirement or volunteered leave of absences as part of efforts to reduce workforces to mitigate expected furloughs and layoffs in October.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the air transportation industry fell from about 512,000 workers in March 2020 to about 380,000 in June 2020.
"It’s causing a lot of stress for people,” said Matt, a flight attendant for five years who requested to keep their employer and last name anonymous for fear of retaliation. "Worrying about if I will still have my job, how long will I be out, what am I going to do in the meantime if I do get furloughed?”
These concerns are added stress for workers still on the frontlines of travel amid fears about coronavirus and issues with passengers who try to avoid following mask mandates on flights.
United Airlines said in early July 2020 it could lay off 36,000 employees, about half its workforce in the US.
Nearly 30% of employees, about 17,000, at Southwest have taken voluntary retirement or extended leave as the airline tries to avoid layoffs and furloughs.
At JetBlue, over 60% of its workforce, around 20,000 employees, have taken voluntary leave to reduce furloughs in October.
Spirit Airlines expects to furlough between 20% to 30% of its frontline workers in October, from its workforce of about 9,000 employees.
Alaska Airlines intends to cut its workforce by 7,000 employees by the end of 2020, while 30% of its 23,000 employees have volunteered for a leave of absence.
Smaller U.S. airlines are expected to roll out layoffs in October, including Hawaiian Airlines which announced the airline, currently employing over 7,000 workers, is likely to be 15% to 25% smaller by next summer.
Delta Air Lines managed to avoid plans to conduct furloughs and layoffs so far due to 20% of their workforce taking voluntary retirements.