Adams Blasted By AOC, Others Over 'Low Skill Worker' Comment

NEW YORK CITY — Don't diss Dunkin' Donuts workers.

That's the message many New Yorkers had for Mayor Eric Adams after his comments Tuesday about "low skill workers" in the city.

Adams made the remark to defend his repeated calls for big businesses to bring their workers back to the office, even amid the COVID-19 surge. When office employees stay home that impacts other workers whose livelihoods depend on them, he said.

"My low skill workers — my cooks, my dishwashers, my messengers, my shoe shine people, those who are working at Dunkin' Donuts — they don't have the academic skills to sit in the corner office," he said Tuesday.

But many, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saw Adams' remark as an elitist slight.

"The suggestion that any job is “low skill” is a myth perpetuated by wealthy interests to justify inhumane working conditions, little/no healthcare, and low wages," she tweeted. "Plus being a waitress has made me and many others *better* at our jobs than those who’ve never known that life."

The suggestion that any job is “low skill” is a myth perpetuated by wealthy interests to justify inhumane working conditions, little/no healthcare, and low wages.

Plus being a waitress has made me and many others *better* at our jobs than those who’ve never known that life. https://t.co/dhkhBwyNWK
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 5, 2022

Others were more blunt.

"Eric Adams can s*** my entire a**," one tweeted.

I want Eric Adams, and every god damn politician, to work a single day at a “low skill” job. They’ll be surrounded by people with masters degrees and people who haven’t had access to higher Ed but are smarter than everyone in my graduate cohort.
— Katie Kay Chelena (@KatieKayChelena) January 5, 2022

Eric Adams doesn't know what He's talking about. I had a Masters degree working an entry level position the first two years after finishing my degree. It's common for employees with advanced degrees to have to make ends meet working those "low skill" positions that he insults. https://t.co/DpMP1ki1Mp
— 🇲🇱 Tom 🇭🇹 (@SabioScientist) January 4, 2022

@ericadamsfornyc needs to get a clue. The people he calls "low skill" workers are literally the people who make New York City function. https://t.co/3DTratOVma
— 🏳️‍🌈Angry Worm🏳️‍🌈 (@igottasay2) January 5, 2022

Adams made the comment during a question-and-answer session with reporters following an event unveiling reforms for small businesses. The remark isn't included on the Mayor's Office's official transcript for the event.