Linen and uniform company lays off 16 workers in St. Petersburg
April 8, 2020 - Alsco Inc., a linen and uniform rental service, has laid off 16 workers at its south St. Petersburg office. The layoffs at the office at 660 40th St. S. took place on March 24, the company said in a WARN notice to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The notice was made public Tuesday. The company cited the sudden and unprecedented effect of the Covid-19 outbreak on its business, including government and health directives that made it impossible to continue operations for the time being. Alsco said it hoped to return the employees to work within six months. UPDATE: The company has laid off a total of 213 workers statewide, including in Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, Naples, Pompano Beach, Sarasota, Tallahassee and Tampa in addition to St. Petersburg. Fifteen workers were laid off in Tampa.
“Just as the restaurant industry has been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, its suppliers, including Alsco have as well. It’s important to note that these are temporary layoffs and Alsco fully expects to hire back these employees once restaurants, healthcare and industrial facilities are back to running at full capacity. Alsco is an Essential business, because we provide hygienically clean products to restaurants and healthcare facilities to other essential businesses. We’re still open and ready to serve any business that needs it’s towels, aprons, mats, scrubs, lab coats and other facility services," the company said in a statement provided to the St. Pete Catalyst.
“Additionally, Alsco is offering a new Pay As You Go program with no contract required during this time of uncertainty for many small business owners. The customers pays each week and we make delivery each week. It allows our essential products to be provided to customers without them worrying about signing another contract when they’re just trying to survive,” the statement said.