Protecting Essential Workers Beyond the Pandemic: Insights from Research and Organizing

Presented by: Alejandra Domenzain, MA; Jassy Grewal, MPA; and Ben Master

Webinar Details: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/22cll0622

The pandemic has intensified workplace health and safety concerns, while also stirring unprecedented organizing and advocacy to expand worker protections. This webinar will explore what still needs to be done to advance workplace health and safety, with a focus on centering front line, low wage, and immigrant workers. Case studies include lessons from United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), who are winning historic victories for supermarket and retail workers, and insights from SEIU’s Fight for $15, which have led strikes at more than 350 fast food restaurants, with workers going on strike more than 2,300 times during the pandemic.

Learning Objectives
At the Completion of this activity, the learner will be able to:
* Describe common labor violations faced by essential workers during the pandemic
* Discuss key strategies used by worker organizations to address these issues
* Identify ways to improve working conditions for essential workers moving forward