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Should workers get the vaccine? Is the vaccine safe?
We understand that people haven't received a lot of information about the vaccine and have questions. We want to help workers get accurate information and have their vaccine questions answered. We’re also providing space to express concerns and talk about the vaccine with healthcare professionals. WWJ recently hosted a workshop with Elizabeth Garcia, RN, an ICU nurse who has been working with COVID-19 patients since the beginning of the pandemic. Watch the recording of the workshop here. Read a transcript of questions and answers here . WWJ staff all plan to get the vaccine as soon as it’s available to us. We’re looking forward to being protected from COVID-19 and protecting our families and friends. Who is eligible for the vaccine? As of January 25th, 2021, Illinois is entering Phase 1b of vaccine distribution. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, phase 1B will include all residents 65 and older, as well as frontline essential workers, "including but not limited to...
(Guidance document available here) Whether warehouse workers are included in the "frontline essential workers" group eligible for Phase 1B vaccination may vary by location (city of Chicago, Cook County, Will County, or other counties). We will update this page as we receive more definitive information. (Last updated 1/28/2021) Because Illinois has a limited number of vaccine doses available, essential workers who want to get the vaccine may have to wait for an appointment. Please see below for information about getting the vaccine.
Last week's release of The COVID Jungle directed some much-needed press attention to the challenges that low-wage and temp workers in Chicagoland are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the press coverage for more:
WWJ is proud to present our latest research report, The COVID Jungle: Chicagoland's Essential Food Workers and the Need for Vaccination Priority. The report highlights workers' voices and stories about COVID-19 in their workplaces and the need to prioritize these essential workers for COVID-19 vaccine access. Read the report here.  Warehouse workers in the food chain keep our grocery store shelves stocked, restaurant kitchens supplied, and food deliveries ready to roll. But jobs in food warehouses are often dangerous and poorly paid, leaving workers to struggle for stability even at some of the world's richest corporations.
2020 was a hard year for warehouse workers - the COVID-19 pandemic magnified existing problems in the industry and deepened the divide between the workers who keep warehouses running and the employers who enjoy the profits. As the world has pivoted to remote work, warehouse workers have never been more essential or more at risk. Our 2020 Annual Report showcases the fights we led for warehouse workers this year and the ongoing struggle for PPE, safety precautions, and vaccine access. Read the report here.  |
