Tag Archives: worker

A Trader Joe’s worker says he was fired after writing to the CEO about Covid-19 safety protections

Ben Bonnema, a Trader Joe’s employee at a store in New York City, wrote an email to Trader Joe’s chief executive Dan Bane on February 26 urging the store to improve its air filtration, not allow anyone inside the store without a mask and adopt a “3 strikes” policy for removing uncooperative customers.

“We put our lives on the line everyday by showing up to work. Please, show up for us by adopting these policies,” Bonnema said in his letter.

Bonnema on Saturday posted the letter on Twitter and said he was fired for sending it to the CEO. He also posted a termination letter he received from Trader Joe’s. Bonnema’s account went viral on social media and prompted calls for a boycott of Trader Joe’s.

Kenya Friend-Daniel, a spokesperson for Trader Joe’s, said Monday in an email that there was “misinformation” online about Bonnema’s termination. “Store leadership terminated this Crew Member’s employment because of the disrespect he showed toward our customers.” She declined to provide specifics.

“We have never, and would never, terminate a Crew Member’s employment for raising safety concerns,” she added. “We encourage all Crew Members to take an active role in store safety, and share their suggestions with leadership. “

Bonnema, in his letter, cited recent recommendations from scientists and occupational health experts calling on the Biden administration and the Centers for Disease Control to address Covid-19 exposure through airborne transmission.

“We should be following the guidelines of scientists who study respiratory transmission,” he said.

Bonnema also said Trader Joe’s should upgrade its HVAC systems in stores and limit store capacity based on carbon dioxide levels. He said no one should be allowed inside the store without a mask, even people with disabilities, and said Trader Joe’s would still be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act because it offers to shop for customers who can’t wear masks.

Trader Joe’s declined comment on Bonnema’s letter.

Some of the experts who signed the letter to the Biden administration also offered their support of Bonnema on Twitter.

“We wrote this letter to protect people like Ben. His letter is an excellent science-based request,” Kimberly Prather, a professor at the University of California at San Diego, said on Twitter. “We have been shopping there for 20 yrs. We will stop until Trader Joe’s takes this seriously.”

Bonnema declined request for an interview through his lawyer Benjamin Dictor, who said that he and his client would look to obtain an order from the National Labor Relations Board directing Bonnema’s immediate reinstatement.



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Biden to sign 2 executive orders aimed at pandemic-related food assistance, worker needs

President Biden will sign a pair of executive orders on Friday aimed at helping American families and small businesses experiencing financial struggles during the coronavirus pandemic.

The first executive order will attempt to maximize the federal government’s existing resources to support families, with an emphasis on providing food assistance to low-income families.

Biden will ask the Department of Agriculture to increase current pandemic-related electronic benefit transfers (EBTs) by 15% and streamline the process through which Americans claim benefits. Additionally, Biden will ask the USDA to increase its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allotments for low-income families.

BIDEN SIGNS 17 EXECUTIVE ORDERS REVERSING TRUMP POLICIES, RESTORING OBAMA-ERA PROGRAMS

The first order clarifies that Americans have the right to retain their food assistance benefits if they refuse a job opportunity that carries a risk to their health. It contains additional assistance measures aimed at military veterans and calls for the establishment of an interagency structure to coordinate benefit programs for Americans in need.

The second executive order will seek to provide improved protections and benefits for federal workers during the pandemic.

Biden will direct his administration to begin work on his pledge to deliver a $15 minimum wage and emergency paid leave to federal workers within his first 100 days in office. The work will include a review of which agencies currently pay less than $15 per hour and make recommendations about how best to implement the wage hike.

The order will strengthen collective bargaining power for federal workers, among other initiatives meant to ensure they receive proper benefits, the new administration claimed.

Biden officials said the orders are meant to serve as placeholders until Congress passes another coronavirus stimulus package.

“These actions are not a substitute for comprehensive legislative relief of the form that is in the American rescue plan, but they will provide a critical lifeline to millions of American families,” National Economic Council Director Brian Deese said during a news briefing. “And that’s why the President is going to act quickly on these steps.”

Earlier this month, Biden outlined a $1.9 trillion relief package for consideration in Congress, where the Democrats hold effective majorities in both chambers. The package includes $1,400 direct payments to Americans, enhanced unemployment benefits and federal aid to state and local governments, among other measures.

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Republicans leaders have pushed for “targeted” relief focused on providing aid to small businesses and shielding workplaces from liability during the pandemic. Meanwhile, progressive Democrats have argued Biden’s proposal doesn’t go far enough to address the country’s economic needs and should include $2,000 payments.

The executive orders were the latest in a sweeping slate of actions Biden has taken since entering the Oval Office on Wednesday. The president signed 17 orders on his first day in office and another 10 on Thursday that focused on the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Harris County Public Health worker Dr. Hasan Gokal charged with stealing vial of COVID-19 vaccine

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A Harris County Public Health doctor is accused of stealing a vial of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office announced.

According to a news release issued on Thursday afternoon, Dr. Hasan Gokal stole the vial that contained nine doses while working at the county vaccination site at Lyndsay Lyons Park in Humble on Dec. 29.

A week later, Gokal told a fellow Harris County Public Health employee, who then reported him to supervisors. Mishandling a vaccine can result in a loss of government funding to the county, according to Harris County Public Health officials, who first investigated the matter resulting in Gokal getting fired.

“He abused his position to place his friends and family in line in front of people who had gone through the lawful process to be there,” said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. “What he did was illegal and he’ll be held accountable under the law.”

Gokal is being prosecuted by the Public Corruption Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

He’s being charged with theft by a public servant. The Class A Misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Eyewitness News reached out to Harris County Public Health for comment. A spokesperson issued the following statement:

“I can confirm all the details in the news release sent out by the DA’s office are accurate. Harris County Public Health took immediate action upon learning of improper handling of vaccines, to include alerting authorities. However, given that this is an ongoing investigation, we have to refer you back to the DA’s office for any comment or interviews.”

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