Health & Safety at Work
Brazilian government hides scale of COVID-19 pandemic to promote criminal reopening
By Tomas Castanheira, 25 June 2020
Different studies point to severe underreporting of COVID-19 cases and deaths, as outbreaks at working places spread across Brazil.
India rapidly emerging as epicenter of COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 25 June 2020
As a result of the Modi government’s abandonment of lockdown measures, the coronavirus is spreading like wildfire in both urban slums and rural areas.
Detroit nurses’ lawsuit exposes horrific conditions at Sinai-Grace Hospital as COVID-19 deaths spiked
By Kevin Reed, 25 June 2020
Four nurses who worked at Sinai-Grace Hospital have filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Tenet corporation that operates the facility where dozens of people died from COVID-19 due to management’s cost-cutting.
Johnson announces end of UK’s lockdown
By Robert Stevens, 25 June 2020
The bulk of the UK economy, barring “close proximity” venues such as nightclubs, soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools and spas, will reopen July 4. All schools will reopen in September.
London bus drivers’ lives threatened by union collusion on inadequate COVID-19 measures
By Laura Tiernan, 25 June 2020
The Unite union is playing a crucial role for the government and Transport for London in policing the back-to-work drive and concealing the immense dangers facing bus and transport workers.
Unite union facilitates cover-up of COVID-19 outbreak in UK meat processing plants
By Tony Robson, 25 June 2020
Meat processing factories across the world have become a breeding ground for the virus, and working in them is a potential death sentence.
COVID-19 rages through food processing plants, warehouses and manufacturing facilities
By Jerry White, 23 June 2020
More than 24,000 meatpacking workers have been infected and at least 91 have died.
“You risk your life when you go back to work”
Ford workers express health concerns as COVID-19 pandemic spreads
By Tim Rivers and George Kirby, 23 June 2020
Ford workers spoke to the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter about returning to work during the pandemic.
Walkout by sorting office workers at Barnsley Royal Mail after coronavirus outbreak
By Thomas Scripps, 23 June 2020
Royal Mail workers at the central post sorting office in Barnsley, England walked out yesterday after colleagues tested positive for coronavirus.
Companies vow no more shutdowns for COVID-19 as US auto plants resume full production
By Shannon Jones, 20 June 2020
All the major carmakers have expressed their determination to continue production without interruption even as COVID-19 cases surge in many areas of the US.
Around 250 workers infected with COVID-19 in three UK food processing plants
By Robert Stevens, 20 June 2020
The outbreaks underscore the criminality of the government’s decision to enforce a mass return to work and the lack of basic work safety in plants that have been operating during the pandemic.
Hundreds of new COVID-19 infections in German meat industry
By Marianne Arens, 20 June 2020
More than two-thirds of the meat packers at the Tönnies abattoir in Rheda-Wiedenbrück have been infected with COVID-19, with 730 positive initial test results out of 1,050 tested.
Doctors head legal challenge to UK government on health care deaths and PPE
By Rory Woods, 20 June 2020
At least 181 health workers and 131 social care workers have died while working on the frontline.
More than 40 percent of all US deaths from COVID-19 are in nursing homes
By Benjamin Mateus, 17 June 2020
A report published Tuesday says that there were 51,000 COVID-19 deaths among residents of US nursing homes and extended care facilities.
Outbreaks of COVID-19 in Brazil’s meat processing plants and mines
By Tomas Castanheira, 17 June 2020
Clusters of coronavirus at large companies across the country threaten the lives of thousands of workers.
Canada’s grocery chains slash wages as pandemic continues to rage
By Roger Jordan, 17 June 2020
The decision to abolish the pay premium shows the companies’ shocking disregard for the lives of workers.
An interview with Dr. Mona Masood, founder of the Physician Support Line
By Kate Randall, 17 June 2020
The WSWS spoke to Dr. Mona Masood about her experience setting up a support line of psychiatrists serving the mental health needs of physicians during the coronavirus pandemic.
Indian cruise ship crew stage second protest in three days
By Tom Casey, 16 June 2020
Thousands of cruise ship workers—some of them infected with COVID-19—remained trapped on vessels around the world after the industry shut down last March in response to the pandemic
Germany: Schools and child daycare centres open despite the high risk of infection
By Marianne Arens, 16 June 2020
The same politicians who pump hundreds of billions of euros of so-called “Corona aid” into the vaults of the big banks and leading companies see no need to equip schools with the measures needed to combat the coronavirus.
Virginia and Maryland ease COVID-19 restrictions
By Dominic Gustavo, 16 June 2020
The state authorities in Virginia and Maryland are proceeding with the reopening of the economy with complete indifference to the lives and health of working people in the Washington DC area and across the entire region.
UK: Johnson opens the economy and guarantees fresh COVID-19 outbreak
By Thomas Scripps, 16 June 2020
Scientists warn that easing the lockdown under current conditions is likely to lead to a resurgence of coronavirus, endangering lives and throwing away the sacrifices made by workers and their families
UK: Legal action highlights social-Darwinist policies against the disabled during COVID-19 pandemic
By Alice Summers, 16 June 2020
Numerous medical guidance documents published during the pandemic suggest that coronavirus patients can be denied or deprioritised for medical care solely on the basis of their age or existing mental or physical disabilities.
Philadelphia public workers protest poor working conditions and police violence
By Nick Barrickman, 13 June 2020
Sanitation workers and educators took to the streets this week to demonstrate against Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney’s austerity measures and increased funding for the police.
UK Health and Safety Executive provides cover for Johnson government’s back-to-work drive
By Tony Robson, 13 June 2020
The Health and Safety Executive has not carried out any inspections of workplaces since March to reduce risks to its own staff.
India: A massive explosion in Gujarat chemical plant kills 10 workers
By Arun Kumar, 13 June 2020
The tragic loss of life and terrible injuries are a direct result of government and company indifference towards mandatory work safety measures.
COVID-19 cases spike across the United States
By Jacob Crosse, 12 June 2020
Twelve US states—Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Michigan, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Delaware and Hawaii—have all seen a 25 percent or more spike in average cases within the last week.
“They treat us like we are slaves”
Detroit Flex-N-Gate workers denounce sweatshop conditions
By J. Cooper, 12 June 2020
Workers are facing intolerable conditions after the reopening of the auto parts plants.
“Make no mistake, the union supports ramping up production”
UAW threatens job losses at Ford Kentucky Truck Plant over COVID-19-related absences
By Marcus Day and Jessica Goldstein, 12 June 2020
The UAW’s threats came the same day that Ford’s Chief Operating Officer, Jim Farley, announced that the company expects production to return to pre-pandemic levels by July 6.
UK: Indian cruise ship crew members still awaiting repatriation
By Paul Bond, 12 June 2020
Around 650 Indian crew members of TUI/Marella cruise ships are still laid up in waters off Southampton on the south coast of England.
How Canada’s unions and NDP paved way for bill enforcing return to work amid pandemic
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 12 June 2020
The proposed legislation would impoverish and criminalize workers who refuse to risk their lives and those of their families for corporate profit.
COVID-19 eruptions increasing in US meatpacking plants, logistics centers
By Shannon Jones, 10 June 2020
As all levels of government abandon any attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, workplaces are increasingly becoming vectors of transmission.
US Postal Service covers up COVID-19 death toll in New York City
By Tom Carter and Shuvu Batta, 10 June 2020
“There are people that have been gone for weeks, and people who have been gone who never came back.”
Bridgestone tire defends safety “playbook” as infections rise at Iowa plant
By Jacob Crosse, 10 June 2020
Working with United Steelworkers Local 1301, Bridgestone has continued production despite rising infections among workers and the surrounding community.
COVID-19 spreads in US auto plants as officials hide information from workers
By Jessica Goldstein, 10 June 2020
Three new cases of coronavirus were confirmed among workers at General Motors’ assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri, in recent days.
COVID-19 cases rise rapidly after South Asia’s governments abandon lockdowns
By our correspondents, 10 June 2020
India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have all recorded dramatic increases in COVID-19 infections and deaths over the past week.
Canadian government threatens fines and jail time to force workers back to work
By Roger Jordan, 10 June 2020
The Liberal government is spearheading a homicidal back-to-work drive that prioritizes big business profit over workers’ lives.
UK: Setback for Johnson’s school reopening plan due to popular opposition
By Tania Kent, 10 June 2020
The temporary retreat is a credit to the millions of parents and educators who opposed the government and acted in defiance of the trade unions.
A reality check on the ongoing spread of the coronavirus pandemic
By Bryan Dyne, 9 June 2020
More than 400,000 men, women and children have lost their lives from COVID-19 and the lives of countless millions more remain in danger as the number of cases continues to grow.
UK: Postal workers at Bridgewater walk out as six COVID-19 cases confirmed at Wellingborough
By Paul Lee, 9 June 2020
Workers have faced threats of disciplinary action such as “wilful delay of the mail,” which can lead to instant dismissal.
UK: Virus infection rate increases as Johnson government continues ending lockdown
By Robert Stevens, 9 June 2020
Since imposing a lockdown on March 23, Johnson and government ministers have proclaimed keeping the “R” rate below 1 as the precondition for ending the lockdown. But ending the lockdown continues.
Alberta’s hard-right premier dismisses coronavirus as “influenza”
By Janet Browning, 5 June 2020
Kenney’s callous remark is part of his government’s reckless back-to-work policy, and underscores the broad support within Canada’s ruling elite for a criminal “herd immunity” strategy.
Opposition builds to re-opening of UK schools
By Tania Kent, 5 June 2020
In response to a Zoom webinar held by the National Education Union on Wednesday—two days after the re-opening of schools—many educators on Facebook expressed hostility to the inaction of the union.
London bus drivers face COVID-19 disaster: Build rank-and-file safety committees!
By Laura Tiernan, 5 June 2020
Unite has signed off on the Johnson government’s COVID-19 transport plan despite the serious and imminent danger it poses to drivers and the travelling public.
US colleges prepare full opening of campuses in the name of football
By Andy Thompson, 5 June 2020
Over the past several decades college sports has become a multibillion-dollar industry and has made athletics the center of revenue and funding plans in most major US universities.
999 strike in Spain
5 June 2020
US nurses speak on dangers of COVID-19 exposure at their workplaces
By Katy Kinner, 4 June 2020
WSWS reporters spoke to nurses across the US who shared their anger and frustration over governmental and employer neglect throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sri Lankan health workers protest wage and transport cuts during pandemic
By W. A. Sunil, 4 June 2020
While hospital workers across all grades and union affiliations participated in the protests the unions are seeking to head off a confrontation with the government.
Survey exposes COVID-19 dangers facing call centre workers
By Joe Mount, 4 June 2020
Several call centre workers have lost their lives to COVID-19, with thousands in fear that their health and safety is being jeopardised.
Democratic Governor Whitmer lifts major COVID-19 restrictions in Michigan
By Kevin Reed, 3 June 2020
The announcement rescinds the stay-at-home order, along with a series of other restrictions even though most of the state remains in the “flattening” phase of the pandemic.
Canadian farm and industrial worksites become new coronavirus hotspots
By Carl Bronski, 3 June 2020
The reckless back-to-work drive across Canada is already producing new outbreaks of the potentially deadly coronavirus.
Oppose the premature lifting of COVID-19 safety restrictions!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 3 June 2020
The Socialist Equality Party opposes the profit-driven “back-to-work” campaign as the global COVID-19 pandemic worsens and fresh outbreaks appear across the country.
999 CDC report on nurses impacted by the pandemic
3 June 2020
Nurses at HCA Healthcare across the US protest job cuts and lack of PPE
By Alex Johnson, 2 June 2020
Nurses protests are erupting under conditions where hospitals across the country are denying access to personal protective equipment in the pandemic and have already laid off thousands of health care workers.
COVID-19 outbreaks continue surge in meatpacking plants following forced reopenings
By Christopher Davion, 2 June 2020
Meatpacking plants continue to be a major source of COVID-19 transmission in US Midwestern states.
Thousands of Canadian medical workers infected with COVID-19 due to lack of PPE
By Omar Ali, 1 June 2020
More than 2,000 nurses in British Columbia have filed complaints about the lack of personal protective equipment.
Detroit autoworkers report unexplained illness at Jefferson North Assembly as COVID cases mount
By Shannon Jones, 30 May 2020
Several B Crew workers at Fiat Chrysler Jefferson North Assembly in Detroit fell ill from unknown causes during work on Thursday.
Workers in Germany report on corona virus infection risk in workplaces
By Ulrich Rippert, 30 May 2020
Workers highlight the lack of safety measures in public transit and factories.
No to the reopening of schools! Build action committees to safeguard children and teachers!
Statement by the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 30 May 2020
The “phased” return of school children is a criminal policy that places children, teachers, families, and communities open to the risk of serious illness and death.
Local television stations broadcast fake news stories scripted by Amazon
By Douglas Lyons and Nick Barrickman, 29 May 2020
Reporters at nearly a dozen local news stations in the US dutifully read from scripts prepared by Amazon while broadcasting public relations videos prepared and edited by the company.
Nursing union NYSNA provides cover for Cuomo’s push to reopen the economy
By Ali Elhassan, 29 May 2020
The New York State Nurses Association is promoting the illusion that the political establishment responsible for jeopardizing the health of the population and frontline health care workers can be pressured into adopting socially responsible policies.
UK: Weston General Hospital shuts due to coronavirus outbreak among staff
By Robert Stevens and Ben Trent, 29 May 2020
The outbreak reveals the enormous dangers to the health and lives of National Health Service workers.
Letter from an American teacher: “In a pandemic, no one is safe unless we are all safe.”
29 May 2020
The WSWS Teacher Newsletter has received this letter from a high school AP Biology teacher in the Bay Area, California for publication.
Financial press hails Australian government’s union-employer offensive against workers
By Oscar Grenfell, 29 May 2020
The unions have committed to a sweeping pro-business overhaul of workplace conditions and industrial relations on the pretext of the pandemic.
Automakers expand US production, even as COVID-19 cases increase
By Shannon Jones, 29 May 2020
The almost daily exposure of new COVID-19 cases in auto plants has not slowed the rush to increase production by North American carmakers, who face enormous pressure from financial markets.
Over 62,300 US health workers infected and 291 dead from COVID-19
By Katy Kinner, 28 May 2020
Widespread employer and governmental neglect of basic safety protections are to blame for the massive increase in infection rates and deaths among health care workers.
Reports question undercounting of COVID-19 deaths in US and globally
By Bryan Dyne, 27 May 2020
There is increasing evidence that the actual fatalities caused by the pandemic are up to three times the numbers officially reported.
US corporations, government cover up workplace infections and deaths
By Jerry White, 27 May 2020
Recent reports on the meatpacking, logistics and other industries document a systematic effort to conceal the number of COVID-19 cases in workplaces.
UK: Johnson government crisis worsens after Dominic Cummings press conference
By Thomas Scripps and Chris Marsden, 27 May 2020
Cummings has emerged as the near universally despised embodiment of a hated and crisis-wracked government.
Sweden’s “herd immunity” policy produces one of world’s highest fatality rates
By Jordan Shilton, 27 May 2020
Sweden’s policy has been praised by reactionary political forces and the corporate media internationally to bolster their criminal back-to-work campaigns.
JBS meatpacking plant reopens in Brazil as Latin America becomes COVID-19 epicenter
By Gabriel Lemos, 27 May 2020
Workers Party governments financed JBS’s transformation into a transnational, whose plants have become COVID-19 hotspots in both Brazil and the US.
Protests by medical workers grow as hospitals overwhelmed across Mexico
By Andrea Lobo, 27 May 2020
The protests are part of an international wave of unrest among medical workers demanding personal protective equipment, medicines, respirators, testing and staffing.
Indonesia experiences major surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases
By Owen Howell, 27 May 2020
The Indonesian government is blaming the sharp rise in confirmed cases on ordinary workers and peasants for not adhering to social distancing measures.
Quebec Premier accelerates return to work in Montreal—Canada’s COVID-19 epicenter
By Richard Dufour, 27 May 2020
Acknowledging that it is “taking a gamble” with workers’ lives, the Quebec government is intensifying its drive to “reopen” the economy.
Pennsylvania reopens despite gross mishandling of COVID-19 data
By Ben Collyer, 27 May 2020
Figures released this week paint a horrific picture of the suffering and despair caused by the pandemic among the elderly and infirm.
Cruise ship workers protest government and cruise line inaction
By Tom Casey, 27 May 2020
While repatriation plans have been arranged for ship workers after significant delay, thousands still remain trapped on board.
British Trotskyists issue call for working class action against pandemic
Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 27 May 2020
The Socialist Equality Party (UK) opposes the reckless back-to-work campaign and the reopening of schools and non-essential workplaces as the pandemic continues to spread.
Germany’s Left Party spearheading deadly back-to-work drive
By Johannes Stern, 26 May 2020
After voting for the multi-billion-euro coronavirus bailout package in the federal parliament, the Left Party is now supporting the grand coalition’s reopening of the economy.
Postal workers stop work in Peterborough and High Wycombe, England, over COVID-19 safety fears
By Paul Lee, 26 May 2020
The threat to safety in the two offices are replicated in delivery and sorting offices all over the country and internationally.
Reopened schools close across France as coronavirus found among students and staff
By Will Morrow, 26 May 2020
Two weeks after the reopening of schools began in France, more than 70 schools have been forced to close as coronavirus cases have been found among students and teachers.
Maryland Democratic Party officials cite coronavirus crisis to impose sweeping budget cuts on workers
By Ray Coleman, 26 May 2020
Democratic Party officials in Montgomery County seized upon the COVID-19 crisis to impose austerity upon county employees, many of whom are working on the front lines of the pandemic.
“This is not a game that I want to play with my life”: US autoworkers denounce premature return to work
By our reporters, 26 May 2020
In the last week alone, cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at several auto plants in Detroit, Chicago, Kentucky, New York and Indiana.
Automakers, Unifor and Ontario government push plant reopenings as COVID-19 continues to spread
By Carl Bronski, 26 May 2020
The premature back-to-work drive in Canada’s auto industry is being spearheaded by hard-right Ontario Premier Doug Ford, in concert with the automakers, the financial oligarchy and the union Unifor.
High COVID-19 infection rates among doctors and nurses in Germany
By Markus Salzmann, 25 May 2020
According to the public health body Robert Koch Institute, more than 20,000 workers in German hospitals, doctors’ practices, nursing homes and care services are now infected.
Auto companies continue opposition to mass testing as COVID-19 spreads in factories
By Shannon Jones, 23 May 2020
As more confirmed cases of COVID-19 are discovered at auto plants, the drive to restart production is being exposed as a reckless course of action that will inevitably lead to the needless deaths of workers.
Three UK meat processing workers die of COVID-19
By Barry Mason, 23 May 2020
The three died in different sections of Cranswick Convenience Foods factory in Wombwell, Barnsley.
Strikes and protests by Brazilian nurses amid explosion of COVID-19 cases
By Tomas Castanheira, 22 May 2020
Over the last 15 days, there have been dozens of protests and strikes by health care workers across Brazil, as more nurses are dying than anywhere else in the world.
UK Labour council, Community union reject appeal to close ASOS warehouse after confirmed COVID-19 cases
By Tony Robson, 22 May 2020
The defence of ASOS workers’ lives requires a fight against the veto that such corporations enjoy over workplace safety.
”We want to be back, but not at the costs of people’s lives”
UK teachers speak on government’s back-to-school plan
By our reporters, 22 May 2020
The WSWS spoke with teachers this week about their opposition to the Johnson government’s reopening of schools.
“We need our jobs, but our lives and health are more important”
COVID-19 cases at Ford plants in Detroit, Chicago as anger grows over inadequate safety measures
By Jessica Goldstein and Jerry White, 21 May 2020
New infections have emerged at Ford plants in Dearborn, Michigan and Chicago and also at supplier plant, just days after the reopening of the North American auto industry.
“They can more than afford to let us keep it permanently”
Amazon workers react to elimination of pandemic hazard pay
By Douglas Lyons, 21 May 2020
Amazon has terminated its unpaid sick time policy and will roll back the $2 per hour pay raise it implemented during the coronavirus pandemic, despite the rising number of infections.
Education unions and Labour councils ready back-door imposition of Johnson government’s “back to school” plan
By Laura Tiernan, 21 May 2020
The decision to send nursery aged children—including babies and toddlers—and primary-aged students as young as 4, 5 and 6 back into schools was taken solely by Johnson and his cabinet of deranged Thatcherites.
Ford Chicago worker tests positive for COVID-19 after North American auto plants reopen
By Shannon Jones, 20 May 2020
The Trump administration is spearheading a campaign to force a return to work, eliminating all pretense of combatting the spread of the coronavirus.
New analysis predicts US coronavirus deaths will triple by end of year
By Bryan Dyne, 20 May 2020
There is evidence that the Florida government, and possibly others, are censoring the data needed to accurately study the development of the pandemic.
COVID-19 spreads among Ford workers in Turkey
By Ulas Atesci, 20 May 2020
Unsafe and even deadly conditions during the pandemic are an international issue facing workers of every country.
UK: Johnson’s criminal “back-to-work” drive depends on the trade unions
By Chris Marsden and Thomas Scripps, 20 May 2020
The reopening of schools and non-essential workplaces must be opposed until they are made safe.
Letter from UK teaching assistant against reopening of schools
20 May 2020
Sarah, who works in a primary school in south Yorkshire, wrote to the WSWS about the Johnson government’s plans to reopen UK schools from June 1.
Hundreds of Mexican maquiladora workers dying after back-to-work orders take effect
By Eric London, 19 May 2020
In Northern Baja California, 432 of the 519 people who have officially died from the virus in the state were maquiladora workers.
Workers angry, concerned as US auto plants reopen
By Jerry White, 19 May 2020
Tens of thousands of workers returned to factories across the US Monday in a major test of the Trump administration’s plans to restart the flow of corporate profits even as the death toll of the pandemic continues to rise.
US health care system devastated by COVID-19 as the markets clamor to reopen the economy
By Benjamin Mateus and Clara Weiss, 19 May 2020
Health care workers throughout the US have been furloughed as health care systems are facing economic devastation caused by the pandemic. A second surge in economically hard-hit areas will confront an equally devasted health care infrastructure.
UK police question suspect in spitting incident that led to rail worker’s death
By Michael Barnes, 19 May 2020
Belly Mujinga’s death produced a horrified reaction among rail workers and an outpouring of sympathy in the working class, but the deranged character of the attack also solicited an outpouring of crocodile tears from those who are ultimately responsible for creating the conditions that led to her death.
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