As COVID-19 cases are on the rise across Oregon, some businesses are lobbying Oregon’s elected leaders for immunity from being held liable when an employee contracts COVID-19 on the job. Last week, Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor took to the Statesman Journal to detail the disastrous impact employer immunity would have on workers in the midst of a global pandemic:
“Working people are bearing the brunt of this global pandemic and economic crisis. The physical toll, death, pain, and suffering that Oregon’s frontline and essential workers have experienced is unprecedented. Coupled with the economic collapse that has exacerbated long-term inequities for low-wage workers and BIPOC communities, workers are hurting and they need protections. Unfortunately, as our economy proceeds through reopening phases and new COVID cases break daily records, Oregon’s business community is leveraging the crisis and seeking immunity from all liability during the pandemic. “
President Trainor’s full guest opinion column can be found on the Statesman Journal website.
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