Jul 20 Thousands to walk off job to protest racial inequality By Associated Press Dubbed the “Strike for Black Lives,” labor unions, along with social and racial justice organizations from New York City to Los Angeles, will participate in a range of planned actions. Continue reading
Jul 02 Watch 3:26 An electrical line worker’s Brief But Spectacular take on empowering her community During the pandemic, we've profiled front-line workers whose jobs have been deemed essential. One such employee is Savoya Taylor, a line-worker for ComEd, the utility that powers Chicago. She's the company’s first female overhead electrician -- and now she’s training… Continue watching
May 21 Watch 9:19 Can U.S. transit workers be kept safe on crowded buses and trains? By PBS NewsHour, Jaywon Choe U.S. transit workers have been hit hard by the coronavirus. More than 120 have died from the disease just within New York City Transit, and drivers and transport workers represent the second-largest share of work-related cases, according to a Harvard… Continue watching
May 21 WATCH: Essential workers testify on effect of COVID-19 pandemic By Courtney Vinopal The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, chaired by Rep. James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., will hold a hearing May 21 on the impact of that the novel coronavirus crisis has had on medical staff, first responders, grocery store employees, drivers,… Continue reading
May 19 This artist asks how we can come out of the pandemic ‘better than we went in’ By Joshua Barajas Carolyn Olson has been paying tribute to all kinds of workers deemed essential during the pandemic. For their sake, Olson also wants the rest of us to do better. Continue reading
May 07 Store workers become enforcers of social distancing rules By Anne D'Innocenzio, Associated Press Store workers across the country are suddenly being asked to enforce the rules that govern shopping during the coronavirus pandemic. That means customer service employees often must confront shoppers who aren't wearing masks and enforce social distancing measures. Continue reading
May 01 Women and minorities shoulder front-line work during pandemic By Mae Anderson, Alexandra Olson, Angeliki Kastanis, Associated Press An Associated Press analysis of census data shows that the burden of keeping the country open has been borne unevenly across gender, racial and socioeconomic lines. Continue reading
Apr 20 Watch 3:17 A sanitation worker’s fears about collecting trash during the pandemic During the COVID-19 pandemic, the phrase “essential workers” tends to bring to mind first responders and hospital staff. But a key function of American society is collecting garbage to keep our communities clean. PBS station WTTW in Chicago is producing… Continue watching
Apr 18 Watch 4:57 How companies are partnering to find the workers they need By PBS NewsHour Millions of people have lost their jobs in the U.S. because of the pandemic. But as restaurants and retailers have closed their doors, other businesses like pharmacies and grocery stores have been ramping up hiring to meet a surge in… Continue watching