News / FMC wants Covid-hit US dockworkers deemed 'essential' and vaccinated quickly

FMC commisioner Carl Bentzel

Federal Maritime Commissioners Carl Bentzel (pictured above) and Daniel Maffei have written to US president Joe Biden urging his new administration to classify the country’s dockers and maritime workforce as essential workers, and expedite a vaccination programme across the workforce.

Coronavirus cases among US dockworkers have soared in recent weeks. The letter was delivered as it was revealed that nearly 2,000 US dockworkers have tested positive for Covid-19.

The International Longshoreman’s Association, covering the east and Gulf coasts, has recorded 784 positive cases ...