President-Elect Joe Biden released a comprehensive $1.9 trillion stimulus plan on Jan 14. It includes a COVID-19 relief package designed to protect the health and safety of frontline workers, as well as prevent the spread of the virus.
About 95 percent of TWU members are essential workers who have continued to do their jobs throughout the pandemic. Almost 10 percent of TWU members have died, tested positive, or been quarantined due to the virus. For these frontline workers, the Biden COVID-19 relief package:
- Calls for every frontline transportation worker to have enough high-quality PPE to cover all needs
- Directs OSHA to establish an emergency temporary standard to protect workers from exposure to Covid-19 on the job
- Guarantees emergency and care-giving paid sick leave for all workers
- Provides $20 billion in additional emergency funding for public transit
- Establishes a significant State and local aid fund to shore up municipal budgets
“TWU members have been fighting and dying against this pandemic for nearly a year,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “Congress has delivered on some protections, but it hasn’t been enough to keep these essential workers safe on the job and our economy stable. The Biden plan will give essential workers what they need to deliver vaccines, move people safely to vaccination and testing sites, and stay employed as our economy continues to struggle. Under this plan, our government will finally address the true scope of virus and its effects on frontline workers.”
