(audio) Unions have a history of petitioning the agency to develop an infectious disease standard. And we've done this after concerns from our members and other workers from past exposures like SARS and different pandemic flus. And the agency listened to us and they started work on a standard, started developing one, but when Trump came into office, this item was demoted on their regulatory agenda to something called a long-term action, which means they were going to stop working on it, and this is the exact type of standard that would have protected these frontline workers from this type of outbreak.” That's AFL-CIO Safety & Health Specialist M.K. Fletcher, on a special edition of the State of the Unions podcast... (audio) In the place of that OSHA and other agencies like the CDC have issued guidelines for employers and specific industries that they feel have an elevated risk, like in the healthcare industry, death care, airline operations, laboratories, border protection, and then waste management. However, all these guidelines are voluntary. So employers have the discretion to implement, ignore, or selectively follow whatever they want from the guidelines. Some of the guidance is also kind of broad and vague, which becomes a challenge when you are that frontline worker and you need clear, precise information to do your job safely. AFL-CIO Safety & Health Specialist M.K. Fletcher; hear more about what the labor movement is doing about the Coronavirus outbreak on a special edition of the State of the Unions podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. Today’s labor history is actually from yesterday: on March 8, 1908, thousands of New York needle trades workers demonstrated for higher wages, a shorter workday, and an end to child labor. The demonstration became the basis for International Women’s Day. Today’s labor quote is from Bev Grant, from her song "We Were There," which is also the title of her multimedia performance about women's labor history, which will be performed on March 17 at this month's Bread and Roses Series at the Takoma Park Busboys and Poets; details and RSVP at dclabor.org, click on calendar. We have ploughed and we have planted. We have gathered into barns. Done the same work as the men with babies in our arms. But you won't find our stories in most history books you read. We were there. We're still here, fighting for the things we need. (chorus) We were there in the factories We were there in the mills We were there in the mines and came home to fix the meals We were there on the picket line We raised our voices loud It makes me proud just knowing we were there. Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Spring break is coming up soon and you can save up to 25% off base rates when you book a vacation car rental with Hertz. Hertz supports the labor movement by employing union members and featuring American-made cars. And don’t forget to sign up for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® to earn rewards and get a smoother rental experience. I’m a Gold member and love it! Visit unionplus.org/carrental to get started.
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