Prairie State Wire

Demanding a deep clean and sanitization of their Cicero-based work headquarters, as many as 60 United Scrap Metal Inc. (USM) workers recently walked off the job after a co-worker died from COVID-19.

The Chicago Tribune reports workers want the plant shutdown for two weeks for cleaning, during which time they would continue to be paid. Upon their return, they are demanding that protective gear be supplied to all workers.   

Raymundo Rodriguez, a 56-year-old father of six, died of the virus on April 27 after being hospitalized for over a week, his son Leonel Rodriguez told the Tribune. The elder Rodriguez worked at the company for over three years.  

“At this point, we cannot confirm the details, but our hearts go out to his family members,” USM said in a statement. “All of us are grieving the loss of our colleague, friend, and valued member of our team.”

Leonel Rodriguez said USM managers never told his father’s colleagues about him being sick with the deadly virus. Company officials insist they have implemented several safety measures aimed at protecting workers.

“In addition to enforcing guidance on distancing in the workplace, we invested significant resources in personal protection equipment and workplace sanitation efforts,” the company added in its statement. “We also became stronger advocates for our team members to be vigilant about their personal health, safety and well-being.”

When he enacted his stay-at-home order back in late March, Gov. J.B. Pritzker designated the company, which supplies raw material to pharmaceutical, medical, infrastructure, and telecommunications industries, an essential business that can continue to operate.

While company officials claim they are paying workers forced to take time off for doctor’s appointments, treatment or to self-quarantine, some employees argue they have not been supplied with proper protective gear like face masks, forcing some workers to use bandanas, old T-shirts or rags to cover their faces.

As of May 25, Illinois reported 110,304 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 4,856 deaths. Cook County has 30,130 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,369 fatalities.