Four auto industry organizations said they are forming a COVID-19 / Coronavirus Task Force as a means of bolstering manufacturing and warehouse employee protections.
Officials representing the United Auto Workers (UAW), General Motors Co., Ford Motor Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) noted the task force’s focus would include vehicle production plans, additional social distancing, break and cleaning schedules, health and safety education, health screening, food service and other areas possessing the potential to improve employee protections.
“Workplace health and safety is a priority for us every day, all three companies have been taking steps to keep the COVID-19/coronavirus out of their facilities and during this national emergency, we will do even more working together,” UAW President Rory Gamble, who convened the three company leaders, said. “We are focused on doing the right thing for our people, their families, our communities, and the country. All options related to protecting against exposure to the virus are on the table.”
The leaders of the auto-producing companies acknowledged the situation is fluid and unprecedented, noting the task force would quickly build on the wide-ranging preventive measures put in place. The companies and the UAW are working to coordinate action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 /coronavirus, including enhanced visitor screening, increased cleaning and sanitizing of common areas and touchpoints, and implementing safety protocols for people with potential exposure.