Tell Senator Johnson: Workers Deserve Action

Since the beginning of the global pandemic, Wisconsin workers have shown up to get the job done, and power our communities through. Workers deserve safe workplaces with an OSHA standard on infectious disease as well as support and investments so we can stay safe on the job and keep our communities healthy.

Under President Trump, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) refuses to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard on infectious disease which would provide clear guidelines and enforceable standards to protect workers from contracting COVID-19 on the job. This is unacceptable.

This spring, our own Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), together with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced The COVID-19 Every Worker Protection Act to require OSHA issue an Emergency Temporary Standard to establish a legal obligation for all workplaces to implement infectious disease exposure control plans to keep workers safe. Senator Baldwin’s bill would have OSHA issue a standard within 7 days to cover all U.S. workers, including workers in health care, manufacturing, food processing plants, warehouses, and grocery stores. The Every Worker Protection Act includes anti-retaliation provisions so workers can speak freely about unsafe workplace conditions without fear of retribution.

Click here to send a letter to Senator Ron Johnson urging his support of the COVID-19 Every Worker Protection Act.

Working people continue to call for Senate action on the HEROES Act, a comprehensive COVID-19 relief bill grounded in America’s Five Economic Essentials. The HEROES Act would help protect workers with additional personal protective equipment; fund our post office, schools and local governments; continue enhanced unemployment insurance for those out of work; keep workers on payrolls to avoid mass layoffs; and expand health care coverage.

The HEROES Act has stalled in the Senate for months while working Americans continue to weather the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. Workers deserve relief. Senator Tammy Baldwin proudly supports the HEROES Act, but Senator Ron Johnson has yet to express support.

Click here to send a letter to Senator Ron Johnson urging his support of the HEROES Act. It is past time for Senate action.

Protecting workers is the only way forward. Through strong workplace protections, safety measures and investments in working people, we can continue doing our job safe from virus exposure and help keep our communities healthy.