Essential Workers Still on the Job Must Be Protected

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO continues to call for personal protective equipment, thorough sanitization and cleaning of workplaces and appropriate social distance to save lives

“Essential workers still on the job across Wisconsin are powering the country through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “From keeping our food supply intact, to stocking shelves, making toilet paper, testing and treating our sick, making ventilators and other life-saving medical devices, keeping our utilities and telecommunications running, transporting goods, and countless other services, it is Wisconsin workers who are stepping up and leading us through this public health crisis.”

“Too many essential workers still on the job are working without adequate personal protective equipment, their workplaces are not being sufficiently cleaned or sanitized, and in some cases, recommended social distancing is not sufficiently practiced,” said Dennis Delie, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO.  “OSHA has failed to issue an emergency temporary standard for infectious disease and we are seeing the deadly consequences. Workers are contracting COVID-19 on the job, and tragically, a growing number are dying. We will continue to call for PPE and increased labor protections for every worker still on the job in every sector. OSHA must issue and enforce an infectious disease standard now. Lives are at stake.”