AFL-CIO sues OSHA for emergency temporary standard to protect workers

The AFL-CIO filed a petition to compel the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an emergency temporary standard to protect US workers against the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

The petition demonstrates that thousands of workers have been infected on the job through exposure to infected patients, co-workers, and unscreened members of the public. Even with overwhelming evidence that additional protection is needed, President Trump's Secretary of Labor, Eugene Scalia, has insisted that a standard specifically addressing the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic is not necessary.

CWA has proactively monitored developments related to COVID-19 and has successfully negotiated agreements with telecommunications companies to protect workers, including provision of personal protective equipment, implementation of social distancing practices, facilitation of telework for a large portion of employees and provision of emergency paid leave. These negotiated protections do not apply to workers in large portions of the telecommunications industry which remains without union representation, necessitating the need for a uniform emergency temporary standard. 

Links:

AFL-CIO sues OSHA for emergency temporary standard to protect workers (CWA, May 21, 2020)