Tesla Custodians Struggling to Pay Bills

Custodians layoffs due to the closure of facilities they clean and maintain is a common occurrence during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, employers vary as to their policies regarding furloughed workers.

In California’s Silicon Valley, large companies such as Apple, Google, and Facebook have committed to continue paying the contract workers who maintain their large campuses, even though the custodians are remaining at home. However, one large employer, Tesla, has come under fire for laying off its contract custodians,  the New York Post reports. As a result, these workers have lost their pay and their health insurance benefits.

In March, Tesla closed its California factories in Freemont and Lathrop and laid off nearly 300 unionized custodians and shuttle drivers. Officials with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) expect that Tesla will rehire the workers when the factories reopen. In the meantime, these workers have been struggling to pay bills and purchase food and prescriptions. Many are relying on food pantries for assistance.