MUST READ
OSHA Virus Rule Intended to Cover All Workers, Draft Shows
Bloomberg Law
By Bruce Rolfsen|
June 28, 2021
“Current guidelines are inadequate, and are not enforceable, resulting in millions of workers left unprotected on the job,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a statement to Bloomberg Law. “An enforceable workplace safety standard that protects all workers is key to beating this pandemic.”
JOINING TOGETHER
Outnumbered on the job site, tradeswomen find camaraderie, support via new ‘Lean In Circles’
Union Advocate
By Union Advocate
June 18, 2021
“Unions are all about collective voice, and this innovative program offers the perfect opportunity to enhance that solidarity,” AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler said. “Connecting with other women in similar situations and sharing strategies through networks is invaluable.”
Transit Union holds 'Rally for Fairness'
KFDM
By KFDM/FOX 4
June 28, 2021
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1031 held a 'Rally for Fairness' Sunday, saying members are seeking a resumption in negotiations to work toward a new contract. The union says it's authorized its management to call a strike if necessary, although it wants to avoid that. The union says it wants a reasonable wage, hazard pay for pandemic workers, and a commitment to addressing safety.
LABOR AND ECONOMY
Black Workers Stopped Making Progress on Pay. Is It Racism?
The New York Times
By Eduardo Porter
June 28, 2021
William Spriggs, a professor at Howard University, wrote an open letter last year to his fellow economists. Reacting to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, he began the letter with a question: “Is now a teachable moment for economists?” Slamming what he saw as attempts to deny racial discrimination, Dr. Spriggs argued that economists should stop looking for a reason other than racism — some “omitted variable” — to account for why African Americans are falling further behind in the economy.
IN THE STATES
Ky. OSHA complaints rose 45% in 2020, partly due to pandemic; issues are likely to linger as workplaces try to get back to normal
The Times Tribune
June 28, 2021
Bill Londrigan, executive director of the state AFL-CIO, told Mencarini, "There needs to be some sort of recognition that even though the rates of transmission and death from Covid have decreased due to the increase in the vaccination rates, that certainly it is not in the rearview mirror. Protections should still be in place." "Many of the complaints lodged in 2021 suggested the national polarization around masks extended to the workplace," Mencarini reports. "As Covid rates drop and more people return to workplaces, new challenges are arising." Londrigan told him that some workplaces shouldn't abandon mask-wearing, though "no one really likes it."
Mandated $15 minimum wage for city contractors speeds toward passage
The Louisiana Weekly
By Michael Isaac Stein
June 28, 2021
A $15 an hour wage for a full-time, 40 hour a week worker comes out to $31,200 a year before taxes, assuming the employee doesn’t need to take unpaid time off. The current living wage of $11.19 would provide that same worker $23,275 a year before taxes. “We’re still not where we need to be in my opinion but it’s a great step,” said Chip Fleetwood, Secretary-Treasurer of the Greater New Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council.