Voice of the People – Hastings Tribune

Nebraskans have been sickened and lost loved ones by COVID-19.

Workers designated as essential are at the highest risk for infection.

Employees preparing beef, poultrynand pork work in meatpacking plants with unsafe conditions.

Unmasked employees, some ill, work side by side in crowded areas. Sick leave is not allowed as they are essential to Nebraskas meat industry and these workers cant afford to quit.

I was raised with the golden rule. Treat other people the way you want to be treated.

Another way to follow it is when you see people being treated in a manner you would not want to be treated, then speak up, do something about it.

The Legislature has three bills proposed to ensure better conditions for essential workers.

LB241 (Meatpacking Employees COVID Protection Act) provides equipment and protocols for a safe work environment during COVID-19.

LB258 (Healthy and Safe Families and Workplace Act) allows workers to earn and use sick leave.

LB441 (Provision Changes to Nebraska Workers Compensation Act) covers expenses incurred due to COVID-19 for designated essential workers in healthcare, corrections, emergency services, education, childcare, meatpacking, trucking and postal services.

Please contact your state senator and the Nebraska Unicamerals Business & Labor Committee by Feb. 25 to let them know you support these bills.

Lets ensure Nebraska workers have the protections needed to provide healthy foods and essential services to us.

Its how we would want to be treated, if we had their jobs.

Lynn Zeleski

Hastings

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Voice of the People - Hastings Tribune