CALL TO ACTION #928: Do Not Sacrifice Workers and Families! Demand Safe Work Return! (May 22, 2020)

165 Days

Until the November 3rd Election


Oregon Primary Election

Thank you for VOTING!

Check results here.


***Today’s Call To Action***

 DO NOT SACRIFICE WORKERS AND FAMILIES

DEMAND SAFE WORK RETURN


Donald Trump, who got a doctor’s note to avoid the draft, says “the people of our country should think of themselves as warriors.” Most Republicans agree. Trump sees good economic numbers as vital to his reelection. Wealthy corporate donors are worried only about their bottom line.

Researchers have warned that reopening businesses too early could cause thousands of additional deaths.  Reopening without proper protections for workers will increase that danger exponentially. Exchanging those protections for the empty rhetoric of calling workers “warriors” and “heroes” is cynical and morally bankrupt.

  • Companies like Kroger and Amazon are already ending hazard pay.
  • Workers who refuse to return to workplaces they feel are unsafe out of concern for their health face job loss and loss of unemployment benefits.
  • Republicans in Congress are seeking to slash federal unemployment benefits to force workers back to hazardous workplaces while seeking to shield companies from legal liability if their conditions cause workers to become infected.
  • Trump even attempted to deny federal benefits to National Guard soldiers assisting on COVID-19 front lines by ending their deployment one day short of eligibility.
  • There are no scientists on the Council to Re-Open America.

Many people are suffering economically during this pandemic. Do not sacrifice the workers; rather, it’s time for FDR style New Deal interventions.

Republicans Work for Business!

People Before Profits!

Follow the Science!


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

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:

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

Reopening businesses without proper workplace protections will cause illness and death for workers and their families, increasing the spread of the coronavirus in our communities. I am asking the Senator to demand that the Senate version of the Heroes Act include protections for workers and accountability for businesses.  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]. 

Reopening businesses without proper workplace protections will cause illness and death for workers and their families, increasing the spread of the coronavirus in our communities. That’s the science; science denial is deadly. I am outraged that Greg Walden voted against the Heroes Act to provide COVID-19 relief. Tell him to put his constituents first. I demand that he support the Every Worker Protection Act and insist that all economic relief packages include protections for workers and accountability for businesses.

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
TODAY: May 22, 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.

Drive-In / Walk-In Movie Night – Medford
TODAY: May 22 @ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/drive-in-walk-in-movie-night-medford/

Drive-In / Walk-In Movie Night – Medford
TOMORROW: May 23 @ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/drive-in-walk-in-movie-night-medford-2/

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/