Update From UFCW 227 President Bob Blair: UFCW 227 Actions Protecting You From Covid-19
April 27, 2020
Dear Union Family,
These past few weeks have been challenging. Our union family continues to work on the front lines getting our community through this crisis and we all worry about how much longer this will last. While there are signs that a light at the end of the tunnel may be coming, it’s more important than ever that we are united as one union family to get everybody through this.
Your health and safety are our union's highest priority and I will continue to send you information so you have the most recent updates on the latest actions of your union to get you the recognition and support you deserve.
Shop SmartLast week I updated you on a new nationwide campaign launched by our union called #ShopSmart. #ShopSmart will provide tips for how customers can limit the spread and reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 while in stores. These tips are based on the direct feedback we received from you. Our local news covered our campaign launch asking shoppers to take a pledge to:
· Always wear a mask or face covering when they are in the stores
· Respecting social distancing at all times by keeping six feet of distance from workers and other customers
· Making sure masks and gloves are not left in shopping carts, but thrown away in the garbage so as to not unnecessarily expose workers
#ShopSmart launched a digital video campaign this week. To see our new video and share it with your family, friends and neighbors click here.
Health and SafetyFrom the minute the coronavirus arrived in the United States we have demanded specific safety actions, such as providing masks, hand sanitizer and other supplies and equipment you need to stay healthy and safe.
Our #ShopSmart campaign is an example of our latest efforts to encourage customers to help protect our members in grocery stores.
Company by company is not enough, which is why we’re asking federal and state government officials to act to protect our members in meatpacking and food processing plants. Across the country, we are seeing increased positive tests in meatpacking and food processing shuttering plants. This week, I teamed up with Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles to send a letter to Governor Beshear requesting first responder status for meatpacking and food processing workers.
Our International Union sent letters to USDA and Vice President Mike Pence calling on them to take immediate steps to protect your health and safety. We’re calling on them to:
· Prioritize Essential Workers for Testing
· Immediate Access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
· Immediate Halt On Line Speed Waivers
· Mandate Social Distancing Where Possible
· Isolate Workers Who Show Symptoms or Test Positive for COVID-19: These workers should be allowed to quarantine at home, with pay, per the recommendations set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
We need to hear from you. If you are missing supplies you need like hand sanitizers, disinfecting wipes, masks or if you think there is anything else we need to know about your workplace please fill out our Coronavirus Health and Safety Report Form. We will fight for you – and believe me it is a fight – to have everything you need to keep yourself healthy and safe.
As we learn more about how to fight the coronavirus, and when we might be able to return to a “new normal” we will continue to add new things to the list that we will fight for to make your jobs safer.
You are not alone. Your union family is fighting for you every single day. We will get through this by taking care of each other. That’s what solidarity looks like.
In Solidarity,
Bob Blair
President
UFCW 227