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December 24-30, 2020 VOL. 35, No. 52
California Worker Safety Concerns Intensify During the Holiday Season Due to Increased Demand for Products and Services
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Rams and Pechanga demonstrate the ultimate goodwill SoFi food distribution is most welcomed holiday gift
IT News Wire
Oakland, CA— In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the heightened demand for products and services during the winter holiday season, the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) and its Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) encourage employees and employers to learn more about worker safety and rights, and employer responsibilities. Each year, workers in warehouses, retail establishments, food processing plants and more are hired during the holiday season due to increased demands for products and services. These workers may not know or understand their rights, and their employers may not be aware of their responsibilities, placing workers, employers and the public-at-large at greater risk for COVID-19 exposure. “Our goal is to reach workers who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure and need information about their rights in the workplace, including paid sick leave benefits and how to report unsafe conditions,” said DIR Director Katie Hagen. “We also want employers to understand their responsibilities to comply with state labor laws and ensure a safe and healthful workplace.” LWDA and DIR are addressing these concerns with a public education campaign in English and Spanish that focuses on high-risk industries for the holiday season, including manufacturing, warehouse and fulfillment centers, retail and food services, agricultural, food processing and meat packing, with detailed information on resources and benefits available on www.dir.ca.gov/COVID. The campaign is particularly focused on low-wage workers of color who face a higher risk of exposure to the virus. According to a recent UC Berkeley Labor Center analysis, low-wage workers are less likely to be able to work remotely, and women - in particular Continued on page 2
The crying eyes of Stephanie Latkins told the story of the Rams, Pechanga food distribution drive at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 22. Volunteers wore their Christmas decorations as DJ Mal-Ski kept a solemn mood festive. (Kenneth Miller/Photos) By Kenneth Miller, Publisher
The car horns blared, tears streamed and scores of volunteers packed boxes of can foods, fruits, vegetables and other non-perishables at the Ram & Pechanga holiday food distribution on Dec. 22 in the SoFi Stadium park lot. They began lining up before dawn and then slowly rolled through to begin
what many said is the most difficult holiday season they ever had. For three hours, hundreds were on the receiving end as Rams disc jockey DJ Mal-Ski played oldies and goodies from the likes of Luther Vandross and also solicited praise for the sponsors and scores of volunteers instrumental providing essential meals during a
COVID pandemic that is beyond devastating. “Well, it’s been a rough year. I lost my mom December 13, 2019 and nothing has been the same since. The pandemic, I’ve battled depression, my husband has not been able to bring in income now, so it been hard, “ said Rina Continued on page 2
Waters Secures Emergency Rental Assistance and Support for CDFIs and MDIs in Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Bill IT News Wire
WASHINGTON, D.C. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, made the following statement regarding the bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill. “After much negotiation, I am very pleased that I have been able to secure $25 billion in emergency rental assistance, a one-month extension of the eviction moratorium, and $12 billion in funding for community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and minority depository institutions (MDIs) in the legislation. I would like to thank Ranking Member Patrick McHenry, Chairman Mike Crapo, and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown for working
with me and my team to deliver this much needed assistance for America’s renters and support for CDFIs and MDIs. “Since the beginning of this crisis, I have sounded the alarm about the urgent need for action to prevent an impending eviction crisis. This legislation makes a down payment on the assistance needed to help struggling families and individuals catch up on their rent and stay in their homes. While I expect that more will be needed, the $25 billion of relief I secured in this bill is critical and historic. “The extension of the eviction moratorium will also ensure that families who are behind on their rent are not facing eviction on January 1.
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However, I do believe that a longer moratorium will be needed and call on President-elect Biden to use his executive authority to further extend this moratorium once he is sworn into office. “This bill also includes many of the legislative reforms from my bill, the Promoting and Advancing Communities of Color Through Inclusive Lending Act, which was designed to provide a boost to our nation’s CDFIs and MDIs. I would like to thank Senator Warner for his advocacy for my legislation on the Senate side and his commitment to this issue. “For decades, I have worked to help our nation’s minority depository Continued on page 2
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