On Friday, one of the largest truck stop chains in the U.S. announced a massive layoff caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
TravelCenters of America Inc. said that they would be laying off 2,900 field employees as well as 122 corporate employees, “primarily as a result of its full-service restaurant closures.”
Laid off workers currently enrolled in a benefits program will be able to keep their health care coverage. Employees who were laid off are also encouraged to apply for enhanced unemployment benefits under the CARES Act.
“This decision was very difficult, but these are unprecedented times. We believe this step is necessary to preserve the long-term success of our company and to ensure our essential services remain available for the millions of professional drivers who rely on us daily,” said Jon Pertchik, CEO of TA.
TA says that all truck stop locations remain open to provide essential services like fuel, showers, restrooms, quick-serve restaurants, and convenience stores to truck drivers, but that COVID-19 stay-at-home orders have resulted in an “overall decrease in consumer demand has significantly and adversely affected TA’s full-service restaurant business.”