Wages
Believes all Americans are “owed a raise.” [1] |
Would enact hazard pay for all “frontline workers putting themselves at risk” in grocery, meat processing, and health care. [2] |
In his first 100 days, would deliver a plan to address income inequality. [3] |
Workplace Safety and COVID-19
Called for personal protective equipment and priority coronavirus testing for frontline workers. [4] |
Called for increased safety measures for meatpacking workers amid the coronavirus pandemic. [5] |
Would direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to implement a comprehensive coronavirus safety plan. [6] |
Would use the Defense Production Act to acquire, produce and distribute high-quality and appropriate personal protective equipment to frontline line workers. This gear will be made in the U.S., creating jobs and protecting the supply chain. [7] |
Will make sure that all Americans have access to free, regular, and reliable testing. He’ll also create jobs by hiring 100,000 Americans as contact tracers. [8] |
Would double the number of OSHA investigators to improve oversight and company accountability. [9] |
Making Work Better
Called for childcare assistance for frontline workers. [10] |
Has consistently fought for unions and the ability of workers to collectively bargain. [11] |
Biden has stood with workers on the picket line, including with UFCW Stop & Shop workers in 2019. [12] |
Biden said he would sign the Protecting the Rights to Organize Act into law, which would make it easier for workers to unionize and hold company executives liable if they interfere with workers’ efforts to organize. [13] |
Supports paid family leave for a serious illness or to care for a child, or an ill family member. Supports paid sick days and job protection for a short-term illness (ex: flu or COVID-19) or cover care for a child. Said, “It’s a national disgrace that millions of our fellow citizens don’t have a single day of paid sick leave available. You need both a permanent plan for paid sick leave and an emergency plan for everyone who needs it due to the outbreak now.” [14] |
Supports closing the pay gap for women and people of color. [15] |
Supports legislation to ensure workers have fair, predictable schedules, and receive additional compensation when they do not. [16] |
Healthcare
Helped to pass the Affordable Care Act, which provides affordable health insurance to millions of Americans. [17] |
Believes everyone should have access to affordable, quality health care. Has a plan to protect and build on the Affordable Care Act, offering a public option, premium tax credits for working families, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. [18] |
Will repeal the existing law that prohibits Medicare from negotiating lower prices with drug companies and will limit price increases for all brand name, biotech, and generic drugs to inflation. [19] |
Retirement Security
Supports legislation that protects multiemployer pension plans. [20] |
Supports measures to strengthen retirement income security by increasing Social Security benefits and opposing efforts to privatize the program. [21] |
SOURCES:
1 https://joebiden.com/empowerworkers/#
2 https://joebiden.com/joe-bidens-4-point-plan-for-our-essential-workers/; https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/we-owe-you-joe-biden-tells-meat-processing-essential-workers-n1199521
3 https://joebiden.com/empowerworkers/
4 https://joebiden.com/joe-bidens-4-point-plan-for-our-essential-workers/ and https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/we-owe-you-joe-biden-tells-meat-processing-essential-workers-n1199521
6 https://joebiden.com/covid19/
7 https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/25/trump-coronavirus-national-security-council-149285
8 https://joebiden.com/reopening/
9 https://joebiden.com/covid19/
10 https://joebiden.com/joe-bidens-4-point-plan-for-our-essential-workers/ and https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/we-owe-you-joe-biden-tells-meat-processing-essential-workers-n1199521
11 https://joebiden.com/empowerworkers/#
12 https://abcnews.go.com/US/vice-president-joe-biden-tells-striking-stop-shop/story?id=62480056
13 https://joebiden.com/empowerworkers/
14 https://joebiden.com/womens-agenda/
15 https://joebiden.com/womens-agenda/
16 Response to UFCW 2020 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire
17 https://joebiden.com/healthcare/#
18 https://joebiden.com/healthcare/#
19 https://joebiden.com/healthcare/
20 Response to UFCW 2020 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire