Frontline Workers Forum Bares Stress, Courage, and Action
The UMass Dartmouth Labor Education Center sponsored an online forum on June 5 to discuss the challenges they face working in frontline, essential jobs during the COVID-19 epdemic. The Greater SE Mass Labor Council was co-sponsor.
There were 1-minute video reports from a rank and file members first about conditions faced on the job. Panelists included workers in the grocery, nursing home and hospital industries, as well as spokespeople from the unions that represent these workers. The three unions taking the lead were UFCW Local 328, the MNA and SEIU 1199. Camilo Viveiros was the moderator.
Some of the issues raised were, fighting to get adequate PPE (personal protective equipment) and hazard pay for workers, overwork and stress caused by staff shortages, and the effects of racism, which has intensified the harms caused by the virus in communities of color.
Read more about the forum here.
The event was recorded, and can be seen here.
