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Biden, Joe

Essential Transportation Employee Safety Act Introduced to Protect Workers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced the Essential Transportation Employee Safety Act to address workplace safety for essential transportation workers, building on President Biden's Executive Order. The legislation prioritizes coronavirus testing, personal protective equipment, and health and safety requirements to keep workers safe. It also expands on the federal mask mandate on certain modes of transportation, including airplanes, trains, and public transportation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Essential Transportation Employee Safety Act is endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Transportation Trades Department-AFL-CIO (TTD), which represents thirty-three transportation labor unions.
  • The bill would require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support state and local governments in providing priority testing for transportation workers.
  • It would implement personal protective equipment and disinfection and sanitization requirements for owners and operators of equipment or facilities used by certain transportation employers.
  • The legislation aims to protect transportation workers, including bus drivers, pilots, and flight attendants, who risk their health and wellbeing daily by prioritizing their safety and providing them with necessary resources.
  • Senators Blumenthal, Cantwell, and Markey introduced the bill to enhance workplace safety for essential transportation workers, recognizing their critical role in keeping America's economy running during the pandemic.
  • The Essential Transportation Employee Safety Act is a step towards protecting the lives of transportation workers and restoring confidence in the transportation system.

Statistics:

  • Thirty-three transportation labor unions, including the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), have endorsed the Essential Transportation Employee Safety Act.
  • Van Jones and Lisa Montgomery praised the initiative, stating, "Pilots are ready to welcome more passengers back onboard our planes and make that 'cleared for takeoff' announcement."
  • The bill aims to cover workers in the transportation sector, who have reported increased infection rates of COVID-19.

Sources:

  • U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
  • The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Transportation Trades Department-AFL-CIO (TTD)
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)
  • The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA)
  • The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU)

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