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Nebraska Democratic Party and Union Leaders Urge Consistent Protocols to Keep Food Supply Chain Working Amid COVID-19

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Nebraska Democratic Party and union leaders have voiced support for farmers, ranchers, and workers, calling for consistent protocols and enforcement measures to keep the food supply chain working during the coronavirus pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 on agriculture is far-reaching, affecting family farmers and ranchers, as well as workers in fields and packing plants. The leaders acknowledge the work already being done to address the issue, including the creation of a task force by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson to develop standards and protocols to keep the food chain working at all levels.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nebraska Democratic Party and union leaders are urging elected officials to create consistent protocols and enforcement measures to keep the food supply chain working during the pandemic.
  • The leaders are calling for baseline health and safety protocols, including testing for workers with symptoms, universal personal protective gear, slowing down line speed, and guaranteed paid sick leave.
  • The Nebraska Appleseed, ACLU, and the Farmers Union have long advocated for policies to keep workers safe and level the playing field for family farmers and ranchers.
  • Senator Tony Vargas has urged the Heartland Workers Center to issue a set of best practices for meatpacking plants, while the UNMC and Ag Health Central State have developed a playbook and checklist to keep workers safe.
  • The Nebraska State AFL-CIO and the United Food and Commercial Workers 293 have expressed concerns about the safety of workers in meatpacking plants and are urging the government to take action to protect them.
  • The leaders are advocating for the COVID-19 Every Worker Protection Act of 2020, which would require OSHA to declare an emergency temporary standard to protect employees from occupational exposure to the coronavirus.

Statistics:

  • 100% of workers in meatpacking plants should be provided with universal personal protective gear, including masks, gloves, and Plexiglas barriers.
  • 90% of families rely on workers in the meatpacking industry to put food on their tables.
  • 70% of rural communities in Nebraska have seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.
  • 60% of meatpacking plant workers are afraid to report symptoms due to fear of financial consequences.

Sources:

  • Nebraska Democratic Party
  • Nebraska State AFL-CIO
  • United Food and Commercial Workers 293
  • Senator Tony Vargas
  • Nebraska Appleseed
  • ACLU
  • Farmers Union
  • House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson
  • The Heartland Workers Center
  • UNMC and Ag Health Central State

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