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Walmart workers have spoken out in response to their working conditions during COVID-19, claiming that the company is not protecting them enough while they work throughout the pandemic. Additionally, Walmart has been accused of neglecting to disclose positive cases to their customers, community, and employees. As a result, the workers have decided to start tracking the cases themselves and staying home from work in protest.
United for Respect is the non-profit group behind the new tracking system for workers to track their colleagues who have contracted coronavirus.
According to USA Today, the tracking website has another advantage: "Employees will also be able to anonymously report when poor safety conditions exist inside their stores."
In a press statement, Ruby Ann Woolwine, an employee at a Walmart store in Michigan, explained why the workers were taking action: "The rise of deaths and infections of Walmart associates show clearly that the company is not only failing to keep its associates and customers safe, but also failing to communicate clearly about store conditions. We can’t wait for more half-measures. We’re taking matters into our own hands to get the information we deserve to know."
Walmart employees are not alone in their concerns. USA Today continues, "Their actions Wednesday are the latest by workers across companies and industries who say they are risking their health as they stock shelves, staff counters and deliver goods in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic but can't get the paid time off or supplies they need to keep themselves safe."
According to United for Respect, Walmart is failing its employees by not enforcing proper social distancing protocols, not providing sufficient safety equipment, not paying sufficient hazard pay, and not offering sufficient paid sick leave.
Jessie Metcalfe, a Walmart employee in Colorado, summarized the workers' frustrations: "Enough is enough. Walmart executives are so removed from the reality of what's happening in their stores that they don't understand: our customers can't be served if associates are out sick. What makes it more frustrating, and even scarier, is Walmart is keeping us in the dark about potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases."
