Joseph McCartin, Professor of History and Director of the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University spoke with America’s Work Force on March 27 to discuss the dignity of work.

McCartin first discussed what it is like to be a professor during the COVID-19 pandemic. With classrooms shut down, he said that teachers and professors have found alternative ways to ensure that their students are able to receive an education while in a safe space. While discussing other impacts that COVID-19 has had on the public, he explained that as businesses begin to shut down, hourly employees are likely to be the first to lose their jobs and wages. McCartin then discussed the dignity of work. As businesses shut down to keep their employees safe, some are remaining open, but not offering their employees any extra protection to keep them safe from the COVID-19 virus. All employees deserve to feel protected while working and that no person is worth less than another.

Steve Sallman, Safety & Health Specialist of the United Steelworkers Health, Safety & Environment Department spoke about the safety and hazard investigation board missing chair members. The purpose of the board is to ensure safety standards are being met to keep workers productive and safe. He said that accidents and mistakes are made in the workplace because people are not set up for success. By not having thorough safety checks and having a high set of safety standards, people are not held accountable enough. This results in workers injuring themselves or possibly their co-workers.

AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about job loss and unemployment benefit applications in the United States being the highest recorded in history.

To listen to this show, click the play button below.

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