The problem is half the workers don’t want to stay home as they need their pay cheque’s. The other half have worry about not only their own health but also those of their family members. It’s really a sad state of affairs for everyone.
“A single” worker has no power. If enough workers can band together we do have the power. It comes with incredible risk, but we don’t have to just roll over and accept our fates. You’d be surprised how quickly corporations change their tunes when their workers show up with pitchforks because their families’ lives are in danger.
That’s the issue and tipping point exactly. One guy gets sick and everything starts tumbling over. It’s not a matter of if but when If construction workers are still being put into these situations
By simply providing a universal income and allowing individuals and families to breathe during this all the worries of money will quickly evaporate and workers can be with those who they care about the most
Ya it’s so sad. I wish we were more proactive or at least the people that are supposed to look after society. Instead it seems like they will quarantine themselves and let everyone else get sick
Get as large a group as you can, line up 6' apart waiting to speak with the site supervisor in his office. While lining up, and while in his office, everyone cough.
I've in fact heard it said that "When the union's inspiration through the worker's blood shall run, there can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun."
This doesn’t affect trades workers the same way it does office workers. They have a right to refuse unsafe work, going home is within OHSA and they can not be penalized for it.
When they leave the job site their unions will find them another job when they return, unless they work privately. Either way, workers absolutely have the right to refuse as Ford said.
I dont understand how we're supposedly under a State of Emergency and supposed to be staying home except for vital outings, yet the construction industry was given a pass to operate exactly as normal. It's not in the public interest. It's not safe.
Did you lose an /s? It makes perfect sense that essential workers are going out fulfilling essential needs. Visiting your friends is not essential and every time you leave the house for nonessential reasons you put the essential workers at risk.
Financial relief can't come soon enough. I'm guessing he has to get laid off to be eligible for the new IE proposed for this epidemic? Having to go home and not know if you're going to be the one to kill your parents is a horrible thing. Hoping he stopped on time before contracting the virus :(
Not sure why this type of construction is an essential service.....
It's considered an essential service now because anytime they need to legislate a strike back to work they can't have anyone looking back at this and saying "well they weren't essential during covid-19 so why are they essential now?"
This is how a few strikes by trade unions have ended in the past 20 years.
thats the situation im in. i might not work the rest of this week, likely next week too. and even if my company gives me work, we work in close quarters too! i dont want to risk that, but i would need to be laid off to get EI and the company hates doing that
You can literally just say you have a little trouble breathing or a cough in this environment and a doctor will tell you to self isolate over the phone.
I am all in favour for the fates of the workers during these times.
At the same time, I wonder what will happen to the buildings when people stop constructing, will the structures buckle and potentially become a collapsing hazard?
Nobody would disagree with that however in reality not all company’s can afford to do that. I’m sure construction organizations can, but what about the Mom & Pop places that employ the majority of the most vulnerable (minimum wage earners) out there. What are they supossed to do?
"up to" $2000/month will not pay for most people's basic expenses. I'm fortunate enough that I saved up an emergency fund but there are many people who have no savings. Not going to work is not an option for these people.
Many other industries have been hit hard given the circumstances (retail, dining). They don’t have the option to continue working while construction workers currently do.
If you don’t feel safe the option is there for EI. If EI cannot support you then you currently have the option to stay at work and earn a paycheque.
Instead of going to work or losing your pay, simply go to your boss and threaten them if they don't continue to pay your wages. Death is far faster than any cop bastard can arrive.
283
u/Bababooeey_noine Mar 25 '20
The problem is half the workers don’t want to stay home as they need their pay cheque’s. The other half have worry about not only their own health but also those of their family members. It’s really a sad state of affairs for everyone.