Target employees are raising alarms about their health and safety as they prepare for a planned “sickout” on May 1st. With the ongoing pandemic, essential retail stores like Target have remained open for shoppers seeking groceries and household essentials, but the reality is that many are venturing out for non-essential reasons, leading to overcrowded stores and increased risk for workers.
A collective of employees known as Target Workers United has announced this walkout to protest what they see as inadequate safety measures in their stores. Their main concerns include the lack of a mandatory face mask policy and insufficient social distancing protocols that fail to limit customer volume inside the stores.
“Foot traffic and how guests behave at Target have been alarming, placing us in unnecessary danger when more stringent safety protocols are crucial,” Target Workers United stated. “Neither employees nor customers are required to wear masks, and the maximum guest capacity is far too high. Many customers are treating their trips here casually, frequenting our stores not just for essentials but out of sheer boredom.”
Jamie Roberts, a spokesperson for Target Workers United, expressed to USA Today that the retailer needs to shift its focus from sales to safeguarding its employees. “It feels like we’re operating as if there’s no pandemic, which is incredibly alarming,” he said.
While Target had initially limited store hours, raised hourly wages, and provided bonuses, employees argue that monetary incentives are insufficient when their safety is at stake. They join a growing list of workers from companies like Instacart and Whole Foods, who have also staged walkouts to demand better protection and sick leave policies amidst the pandemic.
“Target Workers United is urging all employees to stand in solidarity with us on May 1st, International Workers Day, alongside workers from various sectors across the country to advocate for our safety and well-being,” they concluded in their appeal.
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Summary: Target workers are organizing a sickout on May 1st to demand safer working conditions, citing insufficient safety measures during the pandemic. Despite initial measures from the company, employees feel vulnerable and are seeking solidarity from their peers across the nation.
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