U.S. senators urge Delta, JetBlue to restore employee hours
(Reuters) - A group of U.S. senators is urging Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) and JetBlue Airways Corp (JBLU.O) to immediately reverse their decisions to reduce employees’ hours, calling them contrary to the requirements of taxpayer-funded payroll assistance.
FILE PHOTO: Delta Air Lines passenger planes are seen parked due to flight reductions made to slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage/File Photo
Delta and JetBlue have already received a portion of $25 billion in CARES Act money meant to protect airline workers’ jobs and pay rates until Sept. 30 as the industry weathers a severe business slump during the coronavirus crisis.
Delta is set to receive $5.4 billion and JetBlue $935 million.
“You should not take one penny more of bailout funds unless you are prepared to protect your workers’ jobs, pay and benefits,” 13 senators including Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris, all Democrats, wrote to the airlines in two letters.
They said cutting employee hours was potentially illegal.
“Delta’s work hour reductions, which comply with the CARES Act, ultimately protect jobs,” Delta said in a statement.
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