| Dear, Nearly 20 million workers in America rely on tips to make a living. The coronavirus pandemic has pushed most of them out of work, but Congress has prioritized bailing out airlines and Wall Street instead of making sure that these workers are able to feed their families.(1) Courage California is pressuring Congress and our legislators in Sacramento to pass real relief for workers, but we also need to act right now to help those in need. That’s why we’re partnering with One Fair Wage Emergency Fund, which provides immediate cash assistance to tipped wage and gig workers in need. One Fair Wage has already received more than 150,000 applications for assistance during the pandemic, and we can help. More than 1 million Americans have tested positive for the coronavirus, and nearly 70,000 have died from it. We’re still without the widespread testing and support for hospital personnel that will help us return to work on a wide scale.(2) And Donald Trump’s government has done almost nothing to support the workers who are suffering most during these precarious times. Gig and tipped-wage workers almost never qualify for unemployment insurance, and the small businesses that employ them are finding it impossible to get assistance to pay them. More than 80% have not been able to get paycheck-protection loans approved. Instead, the coronavirus legislation passed so far has allowed corporations like McDonald's to avoid providing their employees with paid sick leave, has paid out a $500 billion slush fund for corporations and banks, and has not expanded access to health care.(3) A one-time $1,200 stimulus check is just not enough. Of the 150,000 people who have applied to One Fair Wage for help, 44% have said they don’t have enough to eat right now, and 86% can’t pay their bills.(4) California is trying to make a difference with a $125 million relief fund that can be distributed to all workers, including those who are undocumented, but with 4 million Californians out of work, that money simply won’t go far enough.(5) When we asked Courage California members how you were handling the coronavirus pandemic a few weeks ago, you shared with us your fears about friends and family members who were sick, and your uncertainty about the future. You also told us how much you cared about the millions of people who had lost their jobs in the pandemic, and how angry you were at the government for not doing more. We’re listening. Courage California is pressuring Congress to pass real stimulus legislation for real working people, not billion-dollar corporations. And One Fair Wage is providing immediate financial assistance to workers who need it most. Will you donate to help support workers who are in need during the coronavirus pandemic? Thank you for your compassion, Caitlin, along with Angela, Anne, Brian, Eddie, Deepthi, Gabby, Jay, Lindsay, Molly, and Raquel (the Courage team) Footnotes:  |
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Courage California (formerly Courage Campaign) makes sure our democracy works for ALL of us by fighting corruption in California politics. We believe the solution lies in exposing and solving systemic problems through strategic organizing, enhancing coordination between progressive organizations, and mobilizing civic engagement from our communities, particularly voters of color, young voters, and self-identified progressives. http://act.couragecampaign.org/go/30753?t=16&akid=10375%2E3168579%2Eeegjix |