Teamsters Voice Support for House Subcommittee Briefing on COVID-19 Concerns

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is applauding the House Select Subcommittee’s briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic this afternoon, reiterating the need for Congress to address the concerns of frontline workers.

“The Teamsters are glad to see that the House subcommittee is taking the welfare of essential workers seriously by hosting its first hearing and hearing from these heroes who have stayed on the job while many have followed the guidance of public health officials and stayed home,” Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said in a statement. “These people have risked their lives and those of their families by heading to work each day. Whether their job is in a hospital, a grocery store, behind the wheel of a truck or picking up the trash, Americans are grateful for their actions. So in return, Congress must do everything it can to ensure these workers are protected.”

Hoffa continued, “Hundreds of workers, including Teamster members, have already died from COVID-19. To prevent additional tragedy, the Senate must follow in the House’s lead in approving legislation such as a bill offered by Sens. Tammy Baldwin, Tammy Duckworth and Patty Murray that would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue a temporary emergency standard that protects the safety of all workers, including public sector employees in states that have not opted into OSHA coverage.”

“Such language must be included in the next stimulus bill the Senate votes on so we can ensure these hardworking Americans get the protection they deserve,” Hoffa concluded.