The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the vast inequalities in the United States between those who can more easily follow the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation to stay home and seek medical attention when needed
and those who cannot. In a post on the Economic Policy Institute’s website, Elise Gould reports that high-wage earners are more likely to be able to stay home and have health insurance to seek medical care than low-wage earners. And, those in certain sectors— information and financial activities, for example — are more likely to have paid sick days or can work from home than those in other sectors, such as leisure and hospitality. COVID-19 also sheds light on another difference in economic security and access to medical care among workers: the benefits to being in a union. Union workers are more likely to have access to paid sick days and health insurance on the job than nonunion workers. Only two-thirds of nonunion workers have health insurance from work compared to 94% of union workers. Having health insurance means workers are more able to seek and afford the care they need. We know in that the United States, millions of people delay getting medical treatment because of the costs. Without health insurance, many do not have a regular source of care and simply won’t go to the doctor to get the attention and information they need to not only get better but reduce the spreading of disease. Read the whole report at epi.org For the current status of local labor events, go to dclabor.org, and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1960, the United Federation of Teachers was formed, to represent New York City public school teachers and, later, other education workers in the city. Today’s labor quote is by American suffragist, feminist, and women's rights activist Alice Paul, one of the main leaders and strategists of the campaign for the Nineteenth Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote, ratified by Congress in 1920. Alice Paul, who said: “When you put your hand to the plow, you can't put it down until you get to the end of the row.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Union members already get exclusive wireless discounts through AT&T, but now they can save even more, with $10 off per line, per month on AT&T's Unlimited EliteSM with the Union Plus AT&T Discounts Program! Enroll today; visit unionplus.org/att to learn more.
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