Last week, temp workers who had long sought an end to unsafe conditions, improper wage payments, and overcrowded transportation, watched as a major southeastern Massachusetts temporary employer signed a groundbreaking pledge to institute sweeping improvements to their employment conditions.
The Tufts Daily - November 16, 2011
The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company this month entered negotiations with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to address health and safety violations recently cited against MBCR's Somerville maintenance facility.
Employee worked in unprotected trench below crumbling asphalt, lacked exit ladder
The Star Tribune (St.Paul) - 9/23/2011
Anne Whitledge, who died last August from brain cancer was an emloyee of Maxim Healthcare Services, a health care giant that fired her rather than make accommodations for her disability. They must now send a letter of condolences to her survivors, along with a check for $160,000.
ProPublica.org - Marian Wong, 09/21/2011
It’s become a mantra on Capitol Hill and a rallying cry for industry groups: Get rid of the job-killing regulations. In recent days, with nearly every one of the GOP presidential candidates repeating that refrain, the political echo chamber has grown even louder. Earlier this month, President Obama also asked the Environmental Protection Agency to back off more stringent ozone regulations, citing the "importance of reducing regulatory burdens" during trying economic times.
But is the claim that regulation kills jobs true?
“Century later, issues still resonate,” (Jan. 11) highlights the parallels of “the haves and have nots” of 1912 and those of 2012. 100 years after the nation was captivated by horrific mill conditions and corporate greed, workers still come to our worker center, and others across the state, suffering from injuries that have no place in this day and age.
In December, we launched the OSHA-10 construction outreach class and the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) lead-safe work practices course to provide workers with critical information they need to identify hazards and speak up about the need for safety measures. Click here more of the article. Click here for scheduling and more information on the trainings.
Now in its second year, the Annual Massachusetts Safe Jobs for Youth Poster Contest engages teens 14-18 years old in designing a poster for cash prizes and involves youth across the Commonwealth as judges. Winners receive a $500 prize for first place, $300 for second, and $100 for third prize. Click here for more info.
On December 20, 40 workers, union leaders, elected officials and community organizers sang, chanted and raised signs outside Discover Marble and Granite in Millbury to shine a spotlight on the company its refusal to pay workers overtime.
On December 2, the Americorps Massachusetts Promise Fellowship (MPF) recognized MassCOSH Youth Coordinator Nancy Luc for her "extraordinary commitment" to youth development with the Red Wagon Award. (Click here for more info on MPF)
MassCOSH's work is made possible with support from our members, Community Works, the Massachusetts Environmental Trust and foundation and government grants.
