Workers need support so they can continue to propel U.S., Ky. economies

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught the world anything, it is that all workers play critical roles in building and maintaining economic stability and growth. COVID-19 has brought into sharp relief the indispensable function of workers in every facet of the American economy and economies around the globe. COVID-19 has reminded us of how interdependent the global economy is and that the labor of human beings is what drives economic activity.

It is time that every worker be given their due credit for their contribution to the welfare of our nation and the global economy. We must assure America’s working people that when they return to work they are protected, safe and confident that they are not returning to an unsafe, unhealthy work environment. For too many workers on the front lines of this pandemic, going to work has resulted in a death sentence.

To ensure that we address this crisis with compassion and common sense, the AFL-CIO has developed Five Economic Essentials that Congress must enact to prioritize workers and their families:

Keep America Healthy: Protect and expand health insurance coverage for all workers. We need to expand affordable health care, not eliminate it, so that all workers have access to medical testing and treatment.

Keep Frontline Workers Safe: All essential workers need safety protections on the job, including personal protective equipment, training, testing, anti-retaliation protections, paid sick leave and hazard pay.

Keep Workers Employed and Protect Earned Pension Benefits: Workers need to stay at home if sick, need to quarantine or isolate, and care for loved ones without financial hardship and a pension is a promise and cutting pensions during this public health crisis is unconscionable.

Keep State and Local Governments, Public Schools and the U.S. Postal Service Solvent and Working: A substantial investment in unrestricted aid to state and local governments, school districts, colleges and universities, and the U.S. Postal Service, as well as greater federal assistance for Medicaid, will help prevent further gutting of public services that would make this concurrent health and economic crisis even worse.

Keep America Competitive By Investing In Building and Rebuilding our Nation’s Infrastructure: America’s crumbling infrastructure requires massive federal investment in order for our nation to maintain and expand our economy and by making these investments millions of workers will be needed to do the work necessary to bring our infrastructure up to date.

Fortunately, House Resolution 6800, known as the Heroes Act, includes these Five Economic Essentials for rebuilding our economy and more. The Heroes Act has passed the House and is awaiting action in the U.S. Senate where Senator Mitch McConnell is currently holding back consideration of the Heroes Act. That is why union members and allied organizations will be conducting the Workers First Caravan in Louisville and around the nation on June 17 to make our voices heard while practicing safe social distancing. We need Senator McConnell to bring the Heroes Act to a vote so that workers and their families across our nation can have the safety and stability they deserve during these unprecedented tumultuous times.

Bill Londrigan is president of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO.