Farm Workers, Law Students, Teachers Sound the Alarm on Corporate Immunity
CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY, NOT IMMUNITY
Welcome to the latest edition of “Corporate Accountability, Not Immunity,” a daily tipsheet highlighting key news and important facts on why Congress should not give corporations legal immunity from coronavirus-related harms to workers, consumers, patients and the public. Also refer to our tipsheet on misleading claims from industry groups and conservative lawmakers. Please send tips, feedback and questions to David Rosen at drosen@citizen.org.
FARM WORKERS OPPOSE CORPORATE IMMUNITY: In a letter sent to congressional leaders on Wednesday, the United Farm Workers and its affiliated foundation urged Congress to oppose corporate immunity proposals. “The attack by corporations and other employers on access to the courts is a long-standing and persistent battle. Corporations, including grower associations and corporate farms, have sought to limit workers’ access to the courts through mandatory arbitration requirements. Agricultural companies and associations have long attempted to limit their employer liability by hiding behind labor contractors and other intermediaries,” the letter reads.
LAW STUDENTS MOBILIZE AGAINST CORPORATE IMMUNITY: Law students around the country are mobilizing against corporate immunity. On Wednesday, the People’s Parity Project posted a Twitter thread describing the work being done by these courageous students as they fight to keep their schools and workplaces accountable.
TEACHERS SOUND THE ALARM ABOUT LAX SAFETY STANDARDS: With schools across the country starting to reopen and inadequate protections from the coronavirus in many of them, teachers are sounding the alarm. “There’s no mask mandate in the school – though it’s suggested to wear one – or plans for what happens when classrooms become coronavirus clusters,” Tracey Hicks, a Florida teacher warned in Business Insider. Instead of working toward strong, enforceable standards to help schools and workplaces keep everyone safe, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) still is focusing on granting them immunity from coronavirus-related lawsuits that incentivize safe practices. It’s the wrong approach.