From the AFL-CIO: The Senate needs to act

The labor movement is working nonstop to protect the health and safety of all working people, including workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. And we are doing everything we can to reduce the heavy toll this public health emergency is inflicting on the economy and the livelihoods of working people.

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives took urgent action and passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), a critical first step in making sure working people facing serious health and financial risks receive the assistance we need. 

Now it’s the U.S. Senate’s turn to act. Call your senator now and tell them to pass this urgent measure as soon as possible.

This crisis has exposed the shortcomings of our worker protection and health care systems and is inflicting a heavy toll on the economy. We need to make sure working people do not bear the brunt of the impact.

All working people should have access to paid leave, paid sick days, workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance, and the necessary medical testing and treatment without incurring additional costs.

H.R. 6201 is an important first step toward a comprehensive response to the pandemic. It would provide free testing for most people, improve access to food security programs, provide additional unemployment insurance funding to states, and mandate paid sick leave for some workers who fall ill or are affected by quarantine orders.

Bold action is needed to protect the health and economic security of all working people. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act is a critical first step.

Call your senator now and tell them to pass H.R. 6201 without delay.

In Solidarity,

Team AFL-CIO