When Texas' energy-dependent economy stalled, mass layoffs hit skilled middle-class workers.
flaring and U.S. crude flooding the market, Williams’ projects designing oil pipelines at the Houston-area office of Wood Group were being canceled. And then came the virus.
, including ConocoPhillips — $1.7 billion — and Diamond Offshore Drilling, which filed for bankruptcy with debts of $2.6 billion. Motorists, including refinery workers laid off during the pandemic, line up for a food giveaway in Baytown, Texas, on Saturday. Nikki Rincon, executive director of Hearts and Hands of Baytown, a ministry of Iglesia Cristo Viene, said many of those she had seen in recent weeks had been employed at nearby refineries. Rincon’s husband works for Exxon, which subsidizes volunteers at the food pantry.
“That’s going to drive down the value of houses,” he said. “That’s going to drive down property taxes.” In addition to losing his job, his wife, Demetris Williams, 43, employed at the local school district, lost her part-time work at Old Navy. Their eldest son, Chris Jr., 18, also lost his part-time position at the clothing store and has been applying for other jobs without luck. Their household income fell from $75,000 to about $20,000, Williams said.
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