Committee backs FAA relief grants for SFO, urges worker rehiring talks

The Budget & Finance Committee voted to send a resolution to the full Board authorizing the Airport Commission to accept and expend approximately $46.5 million in federal relief from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program. Airport staff told the committee $40.6 million would reimburse operating expenses and $5.9 million would provide rent relief for terminal concessions and car rental companies.

Stephen Campbell of the Budget and Legislative Analyst Office recommended approval of the grant acceptance. Committee members expressed broad support for the relief funds while several supervisors and a public commenter representing Teamsters Local 665 urged the airport and rental car companies to prioritize rehiring laid-off workers and to negotiate recall rights so senior employees are not brought back at reduced terms.

Joe Madakal of Teamsters Local 665 said rental car companies Avis and Hertz had refused to bargain on recall rights and that relief funds had not sufficiently benefitted workers; the airport said it would take the labor concerns into account. The committee recorded a positive recommendation to the full Board.