ALBANY — Assemblyman Dan Quart is accusing WeWork of “poor corporate citizenship” and taking “dangerous” actions in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
The Manhattan Democrat enlisted a dozen fellow pols to call out the shared workspace company in a letter Thursday for claiming its workforce is “essential” and refusing to suspend rent for its tenants during the ongoing pandemic.
“We are disappointed that instead of mobilizing to help save lives, WeWork has instead chosen to maximize their profits,” Quart and the other lawmakers wrote to in a letter addressed to company co-CEOs Sebastian Gunningham and Artie Minson.
Real estate executive Sandeep Mathrani replaced Gunningham and Minson as the head of the embattled company last month.
Under orders from Gov. Cuomo, the state has ordered all non-essential businesses to shut down and to have employees work from home if possible. But WeWork is keeping all of its New York office-sharing sites open, leading freelancers and nonprofits to take their complaints out on social media.
Housing Rights Initiative, a nonprofit housing watchdog group, said it could go belly up if they don’t work out a deal with the WeWork.
“If @WeWork doesn’t let us out of our lease, we, along with many other tiny nonprofits, may be in *DEEP* trouble,” the group tweeted earlier in the week.
Quart and his fellow elected officials also penned a separate letter to Gov. Cuomo, alerting him of their concerns.
WeWork argues that the company falls under the essential business category because it provides “trash and recycling collection,” “mail and shipping services” and “security” and that some of its clients also provide essential services.
“WeWork is complying with the Governor’s order. We are providing support services to essential businesses–including product supply companies, healthcare companies, financial services and insurance providers– and are following CDC guidelines to provide a safe place to work,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.
Several WeWork sites have been forced to temporarily close after workers tested positive for coronavirus.
Quart, who also questioned recent reports that the company is offering a $100-a-day bonus to certain employees to keep its offices running, called on the company to shutter its sites in the name of public safety.
“Now is a time for all New Yorkers to come together for the common good,” he wrote. “WeWork’s behavior is not just poor corporate citizenship, it’s dangerous. We ask you to immediately close your doors and suspend the collection of membership fees to protect the health and safety of your members and all New Yorkers.”
Assembly members Nily Rozic, Ron Kim, Aravella Simotas, and Andy Hevesi, all Queens Democrats, Sens. Liz Kreuger and Brad Hoylman, both Manhattan Dems, and City Council members Farah Louis, Fernando Cabrera, and Costa Constantinides all signed on to the letters.
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