Los Angeles council adopts package to help LAX workers, backs expanded security steps

Los Angeles City Council on Friday approved a package of actions aimed at cushioning the economic impact of widespread layoffs tied to tightened security and reduced airline service at Los Angeles International Airport, while urging stronger federal and local security measures.

The council voted 12-0 to adopt an amended resolution (filed as Item 18) that asks federal officials for assistance, directs Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and city departments to pursue rapid worker-support measures, and instructs staff to report back on an economic impact and redeployment plan. The vote followed testimony from airport workers and union representatives who described sudden, large-scale layoffs among screeners, concessions and ground-service staff.

Why it matters: LAX is one of the region’s largest employers and a major economic engine. Council members and LAWA officials told the chamber that layoffs there could ripple across hotels, rental car companies, freight and other businesses and that immediate steps were necessary to reduce long-term harm to workers and neighborhoods.

What council approved: The council adopted a two-part package (18a and 18b, both approved as amended) that a) urges federal action to standardize airport screening under a federal agency or oversight model and to prioritize training and rehiring of existing LAX screeners; and b) directs city departments — including LAWA, Community Development and the workforce agency — to form an economic impact task force, develop redeployment options for displaced workers and report back promptly on additional resources needed. The council set a rapid reporting deadline for initial findings and instructed staff to seek state and federal disaster-relief assistance for affected businesses and employees.

LAWA report and staff estimates: Lydia Kennard, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, told the council LAWA’s best available data suggested direct layoffs ‘‘could total approximately 10,000 to 12,000’’ and that, accounting for wider ripple effects, ‘‘by late fall there could be as many as 40,000 people out of work or with reduced work schedules directly attributable to reduced operations at LAX.’’ She told the council the airport was losing roughly $1.4 million per day in the days after the attacks, a figure the department said had come down as operations partly resumed.

Union and worker appeals: Dozens of airport workers and union representatives urged the council to move quickly. Madeline Janice Aparicio of the LA Alliance for a New Economy told the council she and three unions estimated “thousands” of service workers had been laid off with little or no notice and asked the city to: reopen the central terminal area parking and roadways where safe to do so, redeploy or reassign concession and parking staff, press the federal government to preserve jobs in any security restructuring, and launch a short-term rent or wage-subsidy program while creating a longer-term workforce recovery plan. Rafael Turner, a 5 Star Parking employee and union representative, said 171 workers had been returned to jobs after local outreach but hundreds remained unemployed. Javier Gonzalez of Service Employees International Union Local 1877 and Jose Mosqueda, an LAX special service agent, urged that experienced screeners be prioritized for any new federal screening model and that the city press for protections for employees and contractors who have worked at LAX for years.

Security measures vs. jobs: Council members repeatedly framed the issue as two co-equal priorities: security and economic stability. Councilmember Janice Hahn said security is essential to restore the flying public’s confidence, but she pressed LAWA staff to minimize job losses and to partner with workforce and housing programs. Councilmember Eric Garcetti urged the city to act quickly to reopen parts of the central terminal area if it could be done safely and recommended expanding flyaway bus service to reduce curbside demand. LAWA said its closure of the CTA (central terminal area) to private vehicles followed a security risk assessment and the FAA’s 300-foot rule around terminal buildings; staff said they were evaluating options and would report back to the Airports Commission no later than Oct. 2 on alternatives to reopen roadways and parking structures.

Council direction and next steps: The council directed LAWA to expand an economic-impact task force and to work with the state Employment Development Department, Los Angeles County and the city’s Community Development Department and workforce agencies on rapid placements and retraining options. The resolution also: asks the federal government to consider moving the screening function under a federal agency or provide equivalent federal oversight while giving priority to existing LAX screeners in training and hiring; requests federal and state relief funds for displaced workers and businesses; and authorizes outreach for short-term measures such as redeployment and temporary subsidies for affected employers where feasible.

Votes at a glance: Council approved Item 18 as amended (including subparts 18a and 18b). Recorded votes: Item 18b as amended — 12 ayes; Item 18a as amended — 12 ayes; final Item 18 package — 12 ayes. The Airports Commission had earlier directed LAWA staff to report back to the commission by Oct. 2 on the feasibility of reopening central terminal roadways and parking structures.

What LAWA said it is doing now: Kennard briefed the council on steps already under way, including redeployment of some parking and skycap workers to other roles, discussions to expand flyaway service and a task force convened with tenant employers to identify redeployment opportunities. She said LAWA planned a meeting in early October with airport employers to seek ways to reduce layoffs and mitigate displacement.

What’s unresolved: The council’s package includes requests and instructions but does not create a new city-funded assistance program in this vote; it directs staff to return with options and resource needs. The council also asked city attorneys and the CAO to evaluate how quickly any assistance can be implemented and whether additional budget authority will be needed.

The council set an agenda for rapid follow-up: staff to return with an economic impact assessment and redeployment report and to coordinate with workforce boards, housing and municipal personnel to reduce medium-term harm to employees and neighborhoods.