Documents

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROTECTING ESSENTIAL WORKERS

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognize the need to safeguard workers’ physical health and financial stability is more important than ever during this trying time of the COVID-19 pandemic;

WHEREAS, state and local governments labor enforcement agencies are extremely important to such efforts;

WHEREAS, workers are exposed to COVID-19 on the job and some healthcare workers, transit workers, grocery store workers and other workers are dying from it, and that is unacceptable for these essential workers who we owe so much;

WHEREAS, workers who have lost their jobs want more information about unemployment insurance;

WHEREAS, workers who are being required to work want to know if their particular job is essential;

WHEREAS, workers who are classified as essential workers, where unsafe workplaces exposed them to healthcare risks that could be avoided during this COVIS-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, workers who need paid sick or family leave in order to care for themselves or their families and are trying to navigate a system of executive orders and new laws are crying to governments for immediate assistance.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) supports state and federal legislation that provides the necessary resources required to enforce workplace safety laws and executive orders passed at all level of government;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NBCSL supports and encourages the federal government to issue guidance and enhance enforcement of COVID-19 specific workplace guidance in all states and in line with the OSHA state plans;  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NBCSL supports legislation that will encourage state and local labor standards enforcement agencies to partner with local health officials, such as city or county health departments to jointly enforce safety and health requirements;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NBCSL supports and encourages legislation that mandates the dissemination of information about proper safety practices for workplace safety and health for both the workers and the employers;

BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED, the NBCSL supports and encourages legislation that ensure that nonessential workers are not being required or pressured to work onsite in violation of executive orders have been issued requiring people to stay at home and to publicize the laws and policies information regarding stay-at-home rules and a telephone number that workers can call for information and enforcement;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL further supports federal legislation that would provide hazard pay for essential workers, to thank them for the sacrifices they have made during the pandemic; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials and agencies as appropriate.

SPONSOR(S): Senator Ronald Rice (NJ) and Representative Gregory Porter (IN)
Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
Certified by Committee Chair: Senator Ronald L. Rice (NJ)
Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 3, 2020
Ratification is certified by: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), President