Reference no: EM133049816

The spread of a global pandemic has irrevocably altered the way we live, and one of those changes is who we view as "essential workers" in our labor force. As millions of Americans are isolating at home, these workers-whether ER doctors or grocery-store employees-are having to show up to their jobs in increasingly dangerous conditions. In March, grocery workers were classified as emergency workers in Vermont and Minnesota. The classification change acknowledged the increased risks cashiers and stockers face, from the obvious concern of being exposed to COVID-19, to the long hours and having to deal with hordes of customers. "The outbreak of the novel coronavirus should debunk at last the idea that low-wage labor is less essential. than other kinds of work," Sarah Jones wrote for New York magazine. Now, workers are organizing and striking in the face of increasingly risky work conditions and tepid support from the companies who employee them. Whole Foods employees led a strike on March 31 that marked the first national collective action led by the company's workers since it was founded in 1980. The company's employees called in sick to demand paid leave for all workers who stay home or selfquarantine if they believe they've been exposed to COVID-19, along with the reinstatement of health insurance for part-time and seasonal workers, double hourly pay during scheduled hours, and free coronavirus testing for all employees. Amazon warehouse employees staged walkouts in Detroit, New York City, and Chicago over labor conditions and pay concerns. Workers at over 30 fast-food restaurants across California, including McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Popeye's, went on strike April 9 to demand that workers exposed to the virus be given two weeks' paid sick leave, as well as masks, soap, gloves, and USD 3 an hour hazard pay. Shoppers for delivery app Instacart refused to accept orders on March 30, and those at Shipt, Target's same-day delivery service, went on strike April 7. Labor unrest among delivery and warehouse workers has continued to grow, and it has spread into other industries ranging from Philadelphia port workers to bus drivers. As major companies reported a surge in revenue brought on by the pandemic, a coalition between workers at those companies-including Amazon, Target, and other grocers-also organized a nationwide walkout for May Day. In defense, Amazon said that accusations of "lack of safety protocols" made by workers at its Staten Island warehouse were "unfounded" and fired three employees who had spoken out about the company's treatment of its warehouse workers. "I think we could be on the cusp of a whole new wave of worker actions, and organizing, though not necessarily through traditional unions," MIT Professor Thomas Kochan told Axios. "The upside of these actions is they get the attention of the public. The downside is they don't build sustainable, ongoing organizations like unions."

-Do you think the workers at the companies mentioned in the case are justified in organizing and striking?

-How do you think the companies should respond? Was Amazon right to fire the employees who spoke out?

-Do you think the mobilizing efforts that are pushing the labor movement to action right now can last beyond the pandemic?