VULNERABLE WORKERS MUST BE PROTECTED
ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
Low income workers do essential front line jobs. And they are the most vulnerable to the physical and economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Trump and others push for businesses to reopen regardless of risk to these communities, it’s up to Congress to ensure that people are not forced to continue to work in conditions unsafe for them and their families. I am asking the Senator to actively support the EveryWorker Protection Act to establish workplace coronavirus safeguards for all workers. Thank you.
CALL SENATOR MERKLEY
CALL SENATOR WYDEN
ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS
Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here.
SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
Low income workers do essential front line jobs. And they are the most vulnerable to the physical and economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Trump and others push for businesses to reopen regardless of risk to these communities, it’s up to Congress to ensure that people are not forced to continue to work in conditions unsafe for them and their families. I am asking the Representative to actively support the Every Worker Protection Act to establish workplace coronavirus safeguards for all workers. Thank you.
CALL SUZANNE BONAMICI (OR-01)
CALL GREG WALDEN (OR-02)
CALL BLUMENAUER (OR-03)
CALL PETER DEFAZIO (OR-04)
CALL KURT SCHRADER (OR-05)
ACTION THREE: HELP REGISTER VOTERS FROM YOUR HOME
Organizing for the 2020 Election is going VIRTUAL!
- Find virtual events at http://swingleft.org/
- Host a virtual letter-writing party! Get started here:http://swingleft.org/p/virtual-letter-writing-party
- Call voters in Wisconsin about their April 7th election. Sign up for training and call info here.http://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/263614/
Stay tuned — more activities to come!
BACKGROUND:
Low income workers, primarily people of color and immigrants, are the most likely to be exposed to coronavirus, have a higher mortality rate and suffer more economically from the COVID-19 pandemic.
They are considered essential, working in jobs such as retail, transportation and food production. Unlike white collar workers, they can’t work safely from home, nor can they afford to simply stay home to stay safe.
And they frequently work in unsafe conditions without proper physical distancing, sufficient protective equipment or sick leave.
Approximately 4000 COVID-19 related complaints have been filed by workers for unsafe working conditions. OSHA hasn’t issued a single citation or fine. Compliance to CDC coronavirus guidelines by businesses is voluntary.
Trump continues to push for businesses to reopen regardless of risk, including issuing an executive order requiring meat packing plants to remain open, regardless of infection hazards. It included no health and safety requirements.
Some governors have already stated that workers who refuse to return to unsafe workplaces will be considered a “voluntary quit” and ineligible to receive unemployment benefits.
These are frontline workers that we all depend on, and they are essential human beings. Tell your MOC’s to demand that they be protected at work.
