From our allies at Communications Workers of America Local 1102
A CAR rally procession to thank all essential workers for their sacrifice, support workers who have been displaced during the COVID 19 crisis, and to call upon our City & State Officials, State authorities, as well as, private corporations to support a rational reopening of the economy with adequate social safety nets for ALL workers including; hazard pay and paid sick leave for those left out of the stimulus funds.
We are witnessing a moment that will be scrutinized for generations. Inequality building over many years has grown to now unseen levels due to the public health crisis. The COVID-19 crisis and the economic aftermath, including now historic 33.5 million individuals unemployed, calls for a renewed labor movement with demands for a safer and more democratic society.
Therefore it is important that the essential & excluded workforce, those who sacrificed the most, lead the way forward into our new reality.
We thank all essential workers from our nurses, medical workers, and first responders, bus drivers and all transportation workers, warehouse and retail workers, construction workers and day laborers, call center and Telcom workers, our city administrative and enforcement workers, and our teachers and professionals. Workers who heroically risk the health of their families, to fulfill their responsibilities. ALL essential & excluded workers deserve to be recognized.
However, if we truly want to show appreciation we must demand a sensible reopening of our economy. One that places a higher value on workers’ lives at the forefront of post-COVID-19 policymaking.
-We demand the highest level of workplace safety.
-We demand hazard pay for those put in harm’s way.
-We demand Paid Family Leave for all workers.
-We demand adequate safety nets for all workers, regardless of immigration status, displaced during the COVID-19 crisis.
-We demand worker-led safety councils at every employer in NY State.
-We demand protections for whistleblowers for those who expose employer maleficence.
Essential workers have sacrificed the most when all else has failed. Now it is time for their voices to be heard
