Statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on the Supreme Court’s ruling to stay enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) employer vaccine or testing emergency rule:
While we are disappointed by the decision, the court’s majority clearly acknowledged OSHA’s authority to protect workers who face heightened risks of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace. OSHA’s responsibility to provide safe working conditions remains firmly in place.
While infections and hospitalizations surge, we again urge the Biden administration to require employers to provide protections beyond vaccines. OSHA must uphold the emergency COVID-19 standard for health care workers and issue an emergency standard to ensure all at-risk workers are provided layers of protections against COVID-19 transmission at work like improved ventilation, distancing, masking and paid leave. We will not beat this pandemic until we stop the spread of the virus at work.
Contact: Carolyn Bobb 202- 637-5018