COVID-19: Essential workers fight for their lives

Latest

McDonald’s strike.
PHOTO: Joe Brusky, MTEA

 
McDonald’s workers went on a one-day strike in 20 cities in May, over inadequate Covid-19 protections. Scores of McDonald’s workers have Covid-19 and many reported being told not to wear masks and gloves by management. Workers came to work feeling sick, afraid they would be disciplined or penalized. (USA Today).
Almost 12,000 meatpacking and food plant workers have contracted Covid-19 and at least 48 died. Workers continue walkouts and protests against being forced to return to work. A Tyson plant in Iowa shut down after 555 of the plant’s 2,517 employees tested positive. Four giant food companies now control 85% of the slaughter and packaging of beef. The Trump administration rolled back plant regulations, helping their profits and hurting the workers. (Politico)
 

Bell pepper harvest in Coachella Valley. Elizabeth Jaime of Lideres Campesinas delivers masks as part of an effort to protect farmworkers’ health.
PHOTO: Elvira Herrera.
+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.orgPlease donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

When Your Car Isn’t the Only Thing Being Tracked

A new generation of surveillance technology promises to do far more than read a license plate. II can detect and correlate the electronic signals constantly emitted by devices traveling with your vehicle.

Voting Rights Movement Rises; Join August March on Washington

With the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, everyone's right to vote is under attack. The movement to defend the vote is gathering steam. A march on Washington to defend the vote is planned for Aug. 28, 2026.

All This Artificial Intelligence, Why Aren’t Things Better?

"Who needs to go to Mars when we can re-green and re-nourish this planet" asks the author. "We need liberty and happiness for all, not indexes of GDP or stock markets . . . It’s about aligning the technical/intelligence capacity to meet the full needs of people and the planet.”

Anger Mounts in Mississippi Over Police Killing of 1-Year-Old Kohen Wiley

Law enforcement officers, wearing gas masks, lined up under Walmart's side entrance, unleashing tear gas on the crowd that had gathered to protest the police killing of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley.

Fears Over the Future of DACA

Processing delays are affecting both the livelihoods of DACA recipients and the communities they live in. And, a recent court decision has made it easier to deport those with DACA status.

More from the People's Tribune