CALL TO ACTION #917: Demand Members of Congress Protect the Health and Rights of Workers (May 7, 2020)

180 Days

Until the November 3rd Election


You should have your primary ballot.

If not, you can track it here.

 

Important Date

Ballots Due 8:00 PM, May 19: Postmark DOES NOT COUNT.

Don’t delay; study your voter pamphlet, make your decisions, mark your ballot, put it in the Postage Paid envelope, and mail it in or deposit it in a county ballot box (locations) before you lose it under a stack of bills! Urge all of your like-minded friends and family to do the same.

Progressive activism means voting the ENTIRE ballot, including seemingly obscure local boards and commissions, and those pesky initiatives. 

Help the BLUE WAVE wash over every level of government!


***Today’s Call To Action***

DEMAND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS PROTECT THE HEALTH AND RIGHTS OF WORKERS 


While Trump and his party insist that EMPLOYERS must be insulated from the economic pain of the pandemic, they’ve weakened guidelines protecting both the health and economic survival of workers. OSHA and the CDC have floundered in providing clear guidelines for worker protection and Trump refuses to make CDC recommendations enforceable.

Lindsay “The Republican Party will be Destroyed” Graham promised that federal unemployment benefits will be reauthorized “over our dead bodies.”

Donald “Quid Pro Quo” Trump has pushed the burden of fighting the pandemic onto the states, and now has threatened to deny federal aid to any that refuse to support his political agenda. 

Mitch “Grim Reaper” McConnell declared that he would block the next relief bill unless it removes legal liability for businesses that fail to provide workplace safety precautions against the coronavirus, leaving them totally unaccountable.

Prematurely reopening businesses means workers must choose between going back to work and risking infection both for themselves and their families

OR

Staying safe at home, living on their unemployment benefits

Protect workers, their families and the general public! 

Keep states solvent! 

Hold businesses accountable!


**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code].

It’s clearly up to Congress to protect workers, their families and the general public.  I am asking the Senator to ensure that the next relief bill has protections for workers including necessary PPE, safe workspaces, access to paid leave, health care and unemployment payments.  States must be kept solvent, and businesses must have accountability. I am also asking him to actively support the Every Worker Protection Act. 

Thank you.”


SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY

Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/

 

SENATOR RON WYDEN

Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/

 


**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. 

It’s clearly up to Congress to protect workers, their families and the general public.  Tell Greg Walden that it is his duty to ensure the next relief bill has protections for workers including necessary PPE, safe workspaces, access to paid leave, health care and unemployment payments.  States must be kept solvent, and businesses must have accountability. Also, tell him to actively support the Every Worker Protection Act. 

Thank you.”

COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN

DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me


**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**

Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Ongoing Event: Oregon Health Authority Coronavirus Update Zoom Conference Calls
May 8, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ongoing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
#MyORHealth  Support is available for Oregon’s “helpers”

Lines for Life has created a Virtual Wellness Room to offer support to helpers, mental health professionals, first responders, social workers and anyone considered an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon. Each check-in call will have a facilitator to guide the conversation.

“We at Lines for Life want to thank you for all the work you do to keep our communities safe,” the organization said. “We are offering a place for helpers to exchange stories of hope and areas of need. We especially want to hear what things are coming up for you personally and explore how we can cheer one another on to continue the good work you are already doing. We ultimately want to create space to breathe out stress and breathe in hope.”

The meetings are held using Zoom conference calls from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at this link: https://zoom.us/j/4848426773. Please share this invite with anyone in your network of Oregon helpers.

ORD2 Indivisible Virtual General Meeting: Candidate Meet & Greet – Your Home!
May 11 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/ord2-indivisible-virtual-general-meeting-candidate-meet-greet-your-home/

Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: KS Wild – Climate Smart Conservation
May 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-ks-wild-climate-smart-conservation/

Ongoing Action: ORD2 Indivisible Virtual Postcard and Letter Writing Parties

Postcards to Voters:

Our postcard team is temporarily suspending the delivery of postcards to your door. However, the good news is that you will find everything you need to continue writing from home (including templates to print your own or purchase pre-printed cards) here: https://postcardstovoters.org

You can sign up through https://postcardstovoters.org/volunteer/

To avoid unnecessary trips to the post office, order stamps directly from the USPS:
https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/coral-reefs-postcard-stamp-S_745104

…and voila, you’re ready to go! Send an e-mail to with any questions.

Letters to Voters

We encourage our team of volunteers to sign up with Swing Left to start writing letters to voters in 12 swing states.  It is super easy to join. Check out their website, sign up, and let’s start writing! https://swingleft.org/

Send an e-mail to if you would like more information about how to get involved.

Virtual Letter-writing Parties

We encourage you to join virtual letter-writing parties hosted by Oregon Indivisible / Swing Left. The parties are held at noon every Saturday and on the last Tuesday of every month. Here are the links for the next two parties:

https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/267146/

**Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/