In lieu of our regular 3 tiered newsletter, we're using this space to provide information and updates on the COVID-19 pandemic geared toward union members.
Since our update on the pandemic two weeks ago, global cases have increased from just over 100,000 to just under half a million and thousands of lives have been lost. In addition to living in a state of social distancing and fear for the well being of themselves and their loved ones, countless workers have lost their jobs and are uncertain of their future as economies from the local to global level continue to tank. There is a lot of information out there about this disease, so we wanted to update you on some of major points.
Information on the virus:
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness with symptoms that range from mild to severe, depending on the person. The key symptoms to watch for are fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. The virus is thought to spread from person to person between those in close contact (~6 feet) via coughing or sneezing. As there is no current vaccine, the only way to prevent this virus is to avoid being exposed. To do this, the CDC recommends frequent hand washing (with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or with hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol), disinfecting touched surfaces on a daily basis, and staying home as much as possible and avoiding contact with others (AKA social distancing). Many state and local governments have already established rules or guidelines for leaving home, so be sure to check with your local officials. For all of the current CDC guidelines, follow THIS LINK.
National Information:
The AFL-CIO has been working diligently to protect workers and provide us with with up-to-date resources for getting through this pandemic. We HIGHLY recommended using THIS LINK to see everything that's been compiled. This includes CDC information, workplace safety info, industry-specific resources, and much more. Many questions you might have can be answered via the links on this page.
In terms of federal legislation, as of this writing, there have been two landmark measures to address the pandemic. The first one, the Families First Act, "requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19". The second is a massive economic stimulus package that has been passed in the US Senate and is set to go through the House tomorrow. The package is far from perfect. It provides no increased funding for OSHA, does little to help employers keep employees working (including no guarantee of 14 days paid sick leave for all), does nothing to protect the Postal Service, and perhaps most concerning, falls drastically short on corporate oversight to prevent those at the top from leaving workers behind.
This being said, though, the original plan was much worse. Workers and our allies were able to get some major provisions into it that will drastically help us and our families. The package, as it stands, includes one-time direct financial relief (currently around $1200 for individuals, $2400 for couples, and $3000 for a family of four) for Americans, expansion of unemployment insurance, increased funding for schools, hospitals, and local governments, and protections for frontline airline and transit workers. For these reasons, the AFL-CIO is urging congress to pass this package, and then do much more. This package has some good things in it, but it alone will not be enough to address this pandemic. To see the FULL list of demands of working people, CLICK HERE.
State Information:
Workers in Florida are being hit hard. As of the morning of this writing, our state currently has just over 2,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Governor DeSantis has taken some measures to protect the public, including a mandatory 14 day quarantine for those arriving on flights from the New York Tri-State area (a growing epicenter in America for COVID-19), sending a letter to President Trump requesting that a major disaster be declared in Florida (to make the state eligible for certain federal assistance), and closing bars, restaurants, and gyms until further notice.
However, many around the state are saying these measures are not enough. As the number of cases continues to grow, action is slow to be taken. Many beaches around the state only closed after nationwide condemnation because of spring break crowds, and fears continue to rise surrounding our state's high number of retirees. Finally, while some workers may be able to adapt and work from home, many in the state's massive tourist, food, and hospitality industries have been left without work until further notice.
The Florida AFL-CIO is asking the governor to do more to help working families around the state who have been left unemployed. Florida's unemployment system consistently ranks LAST in the nation after it was gutted in 2011. Less than 1/3 of workers are eligible, the period of qualification is the shortest in the US, and the level of benefits has been stagnant for decades. This week, we sent a letter to the governor signed by unions from around the state asking that he use his power to open up this system to help Florida's workers. Currently, the trust fund that supports this system contains over $4 billion in assets; money that could be exceedingly helpful to our workers if the current restrictions were lifted so they could access it. We're urging the governor to take this step to protect working families in our state, and we have a website for you to do the same and share your story. Tell Governor DeSantis to help Florida's workers.
Local Information:
We've been doing our best to keep track of developments on a local level. While some workers in our area, such as those in the education field, will continue to work (albeit in a new and challenging way through distance learning and/or food distribution), others have been left with uncertain futures as their workplaces have closed or, perhaps most worryingly, they are being forced to work without proper protections. Many of those affected will have to rely on state and/or national initiatives to see relief.
For updates in your area, follow the link to your county:
- Citrus
- DeSoto
- Hardee
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Manatee
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Sarasota
- Sumter
How to Help:
With all of this information, you may still be wondering what you can do to help out in this time of crisis. We have some suggestions:
- Make sure you've signed the petition to urge the Governor to expand unemployment insurance
- Follow this link to access the action campaigns of numerous unions around the country
- Sign the AFSCME petition to protect USF workers
- Check out United Way Suncoast, a community partner with various ways to provide assistance
- Stay on the lookout for efforts to help our sisters and brothers in their time of need
- Most importantly, adhere to the recommended preventative measures as best as you possibly can. According to many experts, if we can slow the rate of infection by following the outlined social and hygienic measures, we can prevent our medical systems from having to operate over capacity. This is what will save lives.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates. If you would like to receive text message alerts from the Florida AFL-CIO (Msg & data rates may apply), text FLUNION to 235246!
In Solidarity,
West Central Florida Labor Council
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