The Teamsters Local 89 Executive Board has passed a resolution calling for all employers to provide paid sick leave for workers who do not currently have it, enhance health and safety procedures, provide more open information to workers, and provide increased compensation as a show of appreciation to the essential workers who are keeping America running during this crisis.
Teamsters Local 89 is in the process of sending letters to all "white paper" employers that we have local contracts with, asking them to implement these policies.
Teamsters Local 89 has also sent a letter to General President Hoffa asking the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to assist us in this pursuit by discussing these items with all employers covered by National Master Agreements (UPS, UPS Freight, Carhaul, Freight, etc.).
During this time of crisis, it is our hope that all local and national employers respect and care for their workers enough to implement these policies to the best of their ability.
You can read the entirety of the resolution below:
TEAMSTERS LOCAL 89
COVID-19 ESSENTIAL WORKER RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, workers nationwide are being labeled as “ESSENTIAL” to the critical functions of the American economy and way of life during the COVID-19 crisis.
WHEREAS, essential workers are exposing themselves to greater risk during this national health crisis in order to keep our great nation functioning.
WHEREAS, employers have a moral and legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of their workers at all times.
WHEREAS, employers and the American people as a whole owe an incredible debt to essential workers during this time of crisis.
WHEREAS, all essential workers deserve to be supplied with honest and open information from their employers on any COVID-19 situations that arise in their workplace.
WHEREAS, Teamsters Local 89 negotiates “white paper” contracts with local employers, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters negotiates “national master” contracts with national employers.
BE IT RESOLVED, Teamsters Local 89 shall encourage all employers of essential workers to provide at least two weeks of paid sick leave to essential workers impacted by COVID-19, if they are not already doing so.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Teamsters Local 89 shall encourage all employers of essential workers to provide a sanitized work environment and stringent health and safety procedures, to the fullest extent possible in each workplace, to safeguard workers from the risks posed by COVID-19.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Teamsters Local 89 shall encourage all employers of essential workers to provide their workforce with all possible information legally allowed on any positive cases, quarantines, etc. and all actions being taken by the company in response to such.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Teamsters Local 89 shall encourage all employers of essential workers to show their appreciation for the risk these brave men and women are undertaking on a daily basis by providing increased compensation for the duration of this crisis in the form of additional wages, bonuses, paid time off, etc.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Teamsters Local 89 shall be in contact with all employers with “white paper” Local 89 contracts to discuss the items in this resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, as items such as wages are handled by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for employers under a National Master Agreement, Teamsters Local 89 shall be in contact with the International to request they discuss these same items with all national employers.
