In response to Governor Reynold’s negligent reopening of Iowa’s meatpacking plants, US Senate candidate Eddie Mauro spoke today at a press conference with the President of LULAC and elected officials. From Mauro’s remarks:
“Senator Ernst, if you believe it is acceptable to force our workers to go back to the job without supplying protective equipment, why don’t you go work a shift on the floor?” said Mauro. “You received the proper equipment when you were on the front lines in the military. Why shouldn’t Iowa workers have the same to provide pork chops for your Roast & Ride?”
VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/xuOMMtiLAYY
Mauro has signed on in support of the following demands from LULAC:
- Slow meat processing lines so workers can socially distance by at least six feet, per CDC guidelines, and breathe effectively in their PPE masks; Paid sick leave, so workers do not have to work while sick;
- Full healthcare coverage for all workers who fall ill, including hospitalization, if needed;
- Testing all workers for COVID-19, even those who are asymptomatic;
- Grant all undocumented workers and refugees working at these facilities TPS to secure their legal standing in the U.S.;
- Expand rest breaks and maintain hazard pay after May 30;
- Provide safety information in different languages for immigrant workers.
Eddie Mauro appears on his campaign Livestream every day at eddiemauro.com/live.
Eddie Mauro is a progressive small business owner who works with small businesses in all 99 Iowa counties. During the 2008 financial crisis, he took a pay cut rather than lay off any employees. Prior to this, he was a teacher and a state championship-winning baseball and football coach at the high school level with Des Moines Lincoln, Dowling High School, and Des Moines North. He also worked in player development for the Iowa Cubs. Eddie Mauro co-founded the central Iowa non-profit community organization AMOS.
