FROM:                  Jesse Maxwell, Advocacy & Safety Senior Manager, SWANA

TO:                         SWANA Core Advocacy Group

DATE:                    April 20, 2020

SUBJECT:             Essential Workers Bill of Rights

 

On April 13, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) unveiled a proposal for an “Essential Workers Bill of Rights” to protect frontline workers during the Coronavirus pandemic. The lawmakers have called for the next Congressional Coronavirus relief package to include these policies.

 

Though several essential worker groups are explicitly cited in the announcement, solid waste management is not. SWANA intends to contact the offices of Senator Warren and Representative Khanna to seek clarification that solid waste workers, deemed essential by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and all state emergency orders, are included in their proposal. These efforts do not reflect support of the proposed Bill of Rights or any subsequent legislation. A press release outlining the elements of the “Essential Workers Bill of Rights” can be viewed here.

 

A reminder that SWANA’s Coronavirus guidance and resources pages are updated regularly to include the latest information important to the solid waste industry. Please share among your Chapters and Technical Divisions.

 

If you have any specific questions, please contact me directly at jmaxwell@swana.org.