“Virginia's workers just won, and we won BIG!” said the Virginia AFL-CIO on Wednesday, after Virginia became the first state in the nation to issue a strong, science-driven standard to protect workers from COVID-19. State fed president Doris Crouse-Mays called passage of the Emergency Temporary Workplace Standard “a step forward in putting our working families and frontline workers first.” She credited calls, emails and letters to the Governor and the Safety and Health Codes Board for the “huge and amazing win,” saying “We could not have done it without you.” Crouse-Mays added that “During this pandemic, we have all witnessed the incredible bravery, sacrifice, diligence, and care of our workers who work hard day-in and day-out to ensure that Virginia has some sense of normalcy. It is their work that allows us to live.” The new standard requires state employers to improve workplace safety and conditions based on clear, science-driven measures, provide risk training, and allow workers the clear and enforceable right to be free from retaliation and discrimination for exercising their right to demand a safe workplace, which Crouse-Mays said “will aid in mitigating further outbreaks within our Commonwealth.”
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