Coalition of frontline workers urges COVID-19 labor protections

Members of unions representing Maryland’s frontline workers gathered on Tuesday to launch Protect Maryland Workers, a coalition advocating for legislation that would protect grocery, health care, transit and other essential employees during pandemics and other emergencies. The proposed legislation, called the Maryland Essential Workers Protections Act, would require employers to provide increased support and safety protocols to essential workers during an emergency. The coalition comprises over 30 organizations, including local chapters of labor unions, progressive political organizations and other advocacy groups. Leading the development of the legislation was the Maryland and D.C. division of the 1199SEIU, a regional union of health care employees. Ricarra Jones, 1199SEIU’s political director, said she decided to create Protect Maryland Workers after listening to essential workers’ stories of being put in dangerous situations at work throughout the pandemic, with some complaints spanning a variety of industries. Read more here in The Maryland Daily Record

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