Los Angeles City Council backs measures to protect airport security and aid displaced LAX workers

The Los Angeles City Council on Sept. 25 approved a package of measures aimed at shoring up security at Los Angeles International Airport while helping workers laid off or displaced after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Council action followed extended public comment from airport employees, union representatives and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officials, who described immediate layoffs, redeployments and ongoing operational changes tied to new Federal Aviation Administration rules.

The council adopted amendments and a final motion directing city staff to (1) work with LAWA and federal authorities on options to reopen parts of the central terminal area where safe, (2) create an economic impact task force to identify redeployment, retraining and other relief for displaced airport workers, and (3) press federal and state officials for relief funding targeted to affected employees and small businesses. The council also asked the CAO and the Emergency Preparedness Department to coordinate and report back within the deadlines set by the motions.

Why it matters: LAX is a major regional employer and economic engine. City officials and union leaders said the airport shutdown and new security measures could put thousands of workers out of jobs unless the city, airport and federal government act to restore operations and provide short‑ and long‑term assistance.

Public comment and LAWA briefing

Workers and their union representatives told council that hundreds of service employees had already been laid off and that many more jobs were at risk. "We estimate that between 10,000 and 12,000" direct LAX jobs could be lost, LAWA Executive Director Lydia Kennard told council during the briefing, describing daily revenue losses and increased security costs. "Virtually no group on the airport has been immune to layoff notices," she said.

Union and employee speakers urged the council to prioritize retaining and retraining airport staff if security responsibilities shift to federal oversight. "The solution is not firing us and bringing in federal marshals," Special Service Agent Jose Mosqueda told council. "We do a great job, but we can do a greater job if the system of training was better." Javier Gonzalez, a representative of SEIU Local 1877, asked that any new federal or private security jobs give current LAX workers first opportunity and training.

Several speakers asked the council to press the FAA and federal government to (a) allow some level of private‑vehicle access or alternative drop‑off arrangements that do not endanger security, (b) reopen concession areas where safe, and (c) expand remote flyaway and shuttle service so passengers can use offsite parking and reduce curb congestion. "We hope that you will work with the federal government ... and that whatever new security plan takes place does not throw the people who have been defending our airport for all these years in the trash," said Madeline Janice Aparicio of the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy.

What the council approved

The council approved a set of measures that, taken together, direct staff to pursue options on security and worker relief. Key elements include: - An economic impact assessment task force (LAWA to lead) to identify options for redeployment, retraining and short‑term subsidies; the motion directs the Community Development Department, state Employment Development Department and county partners to coordinate and report back. - A request that the federal government consider dedicating a portion of any airline relief funds to workers and small businesses affected by the shutdowns, and city support for federal action to establish clear oversight of passenger/baggage screening that preserves worker access to jobs and training. - Staff work to evaluate alternatives for reopening parts of the central terminal area and parking structures only where security and FAA rules permit; LAWA was directed to report to the airport commission and council on options and timelines.

Several of these items were passed as amendments to the committee report and then adopted as a combined package. The record shows the council approved the package of motions and amendments by recorded votes (final consolidated vote recorded as 12 ayes on the item package).

City and airport officials stressed constraints from federal rules while seeking options to limit economic harm. Kennard said the FAA imposes a 300‑foot limit on unattended vehicles near terminals and noted that any waiver or change must be coordinated with the FAA. Still, she said LAWA staff were exploring redesigns similar to European models (for example, separate screening layers) that could allow some concessions to reopen and create work for displaced screeners.

Numbers and relief already in motion

Kennard told council the airport faced roughly $1.4 million per day in revenue losses and extra security costs (her earlier figure had been $1.8 million daily, which staff said had decreased as some operations resumed). LAWA estimated that about 200 concession workers had already been laid off, 5 Star Parking had initially laid off roughly 351 workers but had redeployed 171 at the time of testimony, and additional redeployments were in process.

Council next steps and timeline

The motions direct rapid follow‑up: staff to present a coordinated recovery plan and options for redeployment and training, to work with the workforce investment board on retraining, and to press state and federal partners for relief and prioritization of hiring or training for current airport employees. The council asked for reports back on specified timelines set in the approved motions.

What remains unresolved

Kennard and Chief Bernard Wilson of the airport police made clear that the FAA’s rules are controlling and that LAWA must comply with any directive or risk decertification. Union leaders reiterated that if screening functions are federalized or rearranged, the city must press for worker protections and priority access to newly created jobs. Councilmembers also noted the need to monitor how federal relief to airlines is used and urged that some portion reach workers and small, airport‑dependent businesses.

A forward look

Councilmembers and speakers framed the actions as a short‑ and mid‑term crisis response: secure airport operations first, then rebuild employment through redeployment, training and federal aid. The council’s motions create an immediate vehicle for that work and for direct follow‑up reports to the council from LAWA, the CAO and the workforce and community development agencies.

Ending note

Council members expressed urgency and a willingness to press state and federal partners. "Security has to be number one," Councilman Jack Weiss said during debate, "but we must also push the federal government to provide relief and to support workers and communities dependent on air travel."