ORALANDO, Fla. — While many HMSHost employees were eager to return to their jobs at Orlando International Airport many say it isn’t what they expected.
Now many of those same employees have sent a letter to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority citing concerns about health and safety standards as well as staffing issues.
At a GOAA Board meeting this week several employees spoke of the conditions they have had to endure upon returning to work.
One employee spoke of having to quit because of inadequate staffing levels, another said she had to pretend her shop is closed just to use the restroom, others tell of having to skip breaks.
Last month the aviation authority required the HMSHost to create a reopening plan as it brought former employees back.
Workers now allege safety protocols listed in the plan are often ignored, putting them at risk.
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“We are the frontline workers putting our lives at risk every day to help this airport operate,” said Kourtney Monroe, who is a server at one of the many restaurants.
An HMSHost spokesperson told Eyewitness News reporter Angela Jacobs that safety is the company’s number one focus.
The spokesperson went on to say staffing levels have been a challenge to balance due to the CDC’s ongoing social distancing requirements.
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The company also said there is a process for workers to submit complaints but that they only learned of the allegations in this week’s letter.
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