While many people work from home and await the end of stay-at-home guidelines, some workers continue to brave the COVID-19 pandemic to go to work to keep essential parts of society running.
Natalie Gordon is a member of SEIU Local 721, which has asked LAC+USC Medical Center to provide more PPE for its nurses, including Tyvek suits.
Coral Itzcalli with SEIU Local 721, which represents the largest chunk of civilian public workers in town, said the city should find other solutions instead of furloughs.
“We cannot call these men and women heroes and then turn around and attempt to balance the budget on their backs,” said Bob Schoonover with SEIU Local 721.
One of the city’s major employee labor unions, Service Employees International Union Local 721, issued a statement saying it will work to “mitigate and reduce the number of furlough days and to address the equity of those members impacted.”
Coral Itzcalli, portavoz del Sindicato Internacional de Trabajadores de los Servicios (SEIU) local 721, el cual representa a un grueso número de empleados de la Ciudad, dijo que el recorte de horas de trabajo y salario es muy preocupante.
“Los conductores de reparto de comida de restaurantes y de supermercados son esenciales”, dijo Coral Itzcalli, vocera de la Alianza de Trabajadores Móviles (MWA).
Mobile Workers Alliance spokesman Mike Long, who is also affiliated with Service Employees International Union, Local 721, said drivers fear for their safety.
These drivers, who are organized through a group called Mobile Workers Alliance, held a telephone press conference on Thursday demanding Los Angeles’ mayor and city attorney hold Uber and Lyft accountable in giving them these supplies.
In a Mobile Workers Alliance virtual town hall on March 31, Uber driver Ruben said that even with a doctor’s note he was denied any benefits. Uber’s last communication to Ruben: “We are sorry that this upsets you, but our decision is final.”