This is a vote for our chapter to sign on to a letter in support of a worker safety bill, introduced on the D.C. Council, that will strengthen enforcement of workplace protections against COVID-19. D.C. Jobs With Justice is circulating the letter. A 'Yes' vote means that you support our chapter signing on to the letter.

See below for a description of the bill:

Councilmember Silverman has introduced emergency legislation that would put in place basic health and safety standards for employers as well as implement important anti-retaliation protections. This bill would be a crucial first step in ensuring that employers don't risk worker and community safety. The bill will be up for a vote on Tuesday and our sense is that it will take a strong show of support from labor in order to get this past the finish line. We have drafted a sign on letter in support of the bill, can your union or worker justice organization sign on? Please be sure to sign ASAP as we are planning on sending the letter at noon on Monday.

Highlights from the bill include:

PPE and Workplace Safety

• Requires employees to inform their employer of a positive test for COVID-19.

• Requires that employers ensure that all persons in the workplace wear face coverings, except customers who are eating, drinking, or engaging in socially-distanced exercising.

• Requires employers to provide PPE to employees while at work, including:

• Masks for all employees who need them.

• Hand sanitizer and access to hand washing stations.

• Face shield or plexiglass barrier for stationary employees who cannot socially distance.

• Establishes a PPE grant program for small businesses to buy or be reimbursed for PPE purchases, up to $500 per business.

 Prohibition on Retaliation

• Prohibits retaliation against employees because of a positive COVID-19 test.

• Prohibits retaliation against employees who refuse to serve or work with an individual who refuses to social distance or wear PPE.

• Prohibits retaliation against an employee exercising their rights under the bill.

Enforcement

• Permits the Mayor to conduct investigations, enforce the bill administratively, and to assess discretionary penalties.

• Permits the Attorney General to conduct investigations and bring a civil action in District courts.

• Establishes discretionary financial penalties.

See below for the letter text:

We the undersigned unions, worker justice organizations, and community organizations urge you to support the Protecting Businesses and Workers from Covid-19 Emergency Amendment Act of 2020. It is imperative that the DC Council act swiftly to pass this emergency legislation to ensure that the District can begin a safe and strong recovery.

When workers are safe our community is safe. A crucial component of a strong recovery is a sense of safety when DC residents go to work, shop, or dine out. We applaud the Mayor’s decision to require employers to provide face masks but more action is needed. This bill provides a basic set of protections to ensure that every District workplace takes the proper precautions to safeguard community health and the economy.

A safe return to work requires more than masks. In order for our members to feel safe at work they need all of the protections enacted by this law. Our members must have access to hand sanitizer, face shields, and plexiglass barriers when they can not be socially distanced. They also need to know that they are protected from retaliation for asking their employer to provide PPE or refusing to serve a customer who is not wearing a mask. Finally we appreciate that the bill allows both the Mayor and the Office of the Attorney General to carry out enforcement actions.

For many of the District’s most vulnerable workers this bill could mean the difference between health and serious illness. We commend Councilmember Silverman for working with labor on crafting these urgently needed protections and we ask that you join us in supporting the passage of this bill.

Sincerely,

Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network
Carpenters Local 197
Catholic Labor Network
DC Federation of Musicians Local 161-710
DC Fiscal Policy Institute
DC Jobs with Justice
DC KinCare Alliance
First Shift Justice Project
Fund for Community Reparations for Autistic People of Color's Interdependence, Survival, & Empowerment
Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor
LiUNA Local 11
Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades
NAGE
National Employment Law Project
Nonprofit Professional Employees Union
SEIU 1199
SEIU 32BJ
SEIU Local 500
ONE DC
Restaurant Opportunities Centers of DC
Teamsters Local 639
UNITE HERE Local 23
UNITE HERE Local 25
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400
Washington Teachers' Union