Malagari introduces bill to protect food supply workers
Rep. Steve Malagari April 8, 2020 | 3:53 PM
LANSDALE, APRIL 7 – State Rep. Steve Malagari, D-Montgomery, today announced that he is sponsoring a bill that would codify the best practices for Pennsylvania’s food processing and protein facilities in order to protect workers and ensure the operation of the food supply chain in times of crisis, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have seen during this outbreak of coronavirus that the continued access to safe, healthy and nutritious food is a crucial component of sustaining social distancing practices and keeping ourselves and loved ones safe,” Malagari said. “Our families and friends rely on a robust network of grocers year-round, and especially now, we cannot take them for granted. We must ensure that they are protected as much as we are during these times. Allowing our food supply lines to become jeopardized is not a challenge anyone wants to endure.”
The bill would be related to social distancing within the workplace, paid leave, attendance policies, and protocols for protecting and notifying employees should a coworker become ill.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 Keystone State has given this bill its full support. There are over 1,000 workers in the 53rd Legislative District that work directly in food processing.
For more information, contact Malagari’s office at 267-768-3671.
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