Editorial: OC Public Servants Speak Out About Workplace Safety

Dear OCEA member,

Your workplace safety is OCEA's top priority. You and your coworkers have given us the data we need to push our public employers in the right direction when it comes to protecting you and your family from the Coronavirus at work.

More than a thousand public workers completed an OCEA Safety Survey and we reported the results to local government and legislative officials on April 30. Last Friday, the Voice of OC digital news publication posted an editorial written by OCEA General Manager Charles Barfield. You can read the editorial here: "Barfield: Orange County public workers speak out about workplace safety," or on OCEA's Facebook page. Please like and share if you so choose. 

For many public workers, providing essential services means that you are more likely to contract COVID-19. The stats and testimony from public workers show that massive safety gaps exist for essential frontline workers. 44% of responding workers tell us they don't feel safe at work. On the question of available protective gear, 40% say there aren't adequate supplies.

You can show your support for public workers by signing our online petition. We will use your name to show community support for common sense safety solutions. Click here for the link and learn more about how workers are fighting for basic safety standards.

In Solidarity,

Orange County Employees Association

Publication Date: May 11, 2020