plaindealer may 2013

8
Memorial Day May 27 the THIS ISSUE Machinist Union Fundraiser 2 April Election Results 3 At e Rail 4 Boston Workers’ Bravery 6 VOL. 93 ISSUE 31 May 2013 A Voice for Working Kansans Since 1919 plaindealer The PlainDealer (316) 529-8513 3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS 67217–3704 Focus On Job Safeguards Texas Plant Inspected in 1985 By Mike Hall, aflcio.org, April 23 SEE CEO pg 8 Follow Us. Union Videos Highlight Good Work CEO Pay Monitored Closely Posted by goaim.org, April 23 D id you know that the CEOs of the “Campaign to Fix the Debt” – the corporate front group that wants to cut Social Security and Medicare and lower corporate taxes – have parked more than $418 billion of untaxed corporate profits overseas? Overall it is estimated that U.S. corporations have as much as $1.9 trillion sheltered overseas. at would make a nice down payment on fixing the debt. Read all about these facts and more in the 2013 edition of the AFL-CIO’s Executive PayWatch. PayWatch not only shines a light on the “Fix the Debt” hypocrisy, but it also explores the huge wage gap between CEO pay and the average U.S. worker. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka notes that since 1982, the CEO versus worker pay gap has jumped from 42 times more than the average rank-and-file worker to 2012’s record 354 times greater. In real dollars, a CEO of a Standard and Poor’s 500 Index company averaged $12.3 million a year in total compensation, while the average rank-and-file worker earned $36,654. “Runaway CEO pay is fueling economic inequality in the U.S. and undermining our shared prosperity,” says Trumka. “In addition, high levels of CEO pay can encourage excessive risk by CEOs, which hurts the T he West, Texas, fertilizer plant, where a fire and explosion last week claimed at least 14 lives—including 11 firefighters and EMTs—and injured more than 200, was last inspected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1985. In 2011, the West Fertilizer Co. filed an emergency response plan with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that said there was no risk of fire or explosion, despite the fact that as much as 54,000 pounds of flammable and toxic anhydrous ammonia could be stored on the site. While the plant reported that it was storing up to 270 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate to state authorities— Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh needed just two tons to blow up the federal building and kill 168 people—it did not report that fact to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In addition, several other federal and state agencies had pieces of the regulatory responsibility to protect the workers and community. e plant was surrounded by homes, a senior citizen housing project and a nearby school. But as Bryce Covert of ink Progress writes: Many of these agencies have previously cited and/or fined the company. But they aren’t required to coordinate with each other, and small distributors like the one that exploded are part of a system that focuses more on larger plants. While those state and federal agencies may inspect certain segments of a plant’s operations— emissions, for example—OSHA is the agency with the broadest mandate and authority to inspect a plant’s entire operations, enforce safety and health laws and, if need be, shut it down. But as the 2012 AFL-CIO report Death on the Job notes, OSHA is so understaffed and underfunded that federal inspectors can inspect each workplace on average of one each 131 years. ere are some 2,200 OSHA inspectors for the country’s 8 million workplaces and 130 million workers. In Texas, OSHA conducted 4,448 inspections in the past fiscal year, a pace that would mean it would visit every workplace in 126 years, according to Death on the Job. In addition, says AFL-CIO Safety and Health Director Peg Seminario, the West Fertilizer plant had just seven employees and “these kind of workplaces are not typically inspected by OSHA.” What people don’t understand is how limited resources are to oversee workplace safety and health. BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster calls the 35- year gap, since the last inspection at the West Fertilizer plant, “a stunning indictment” of OSHA’s underfunding. While the Obama administration has increased funding for OSHA aſter nearly a decade of cuts under the Bush administration, the Republican sequester now in place “means fewer inspectors to SEE TEXAS pg 5 America’s unions make a difference everyday. On the AFL-CIO website you can can watch numerous videos that highlight the positive impact unions have had on American workers. e efforts of many individuals in towns across the country are thanked because of their leadership. e seven videos available include interviews with a variety of union workers. For example, the video “e Sky’s the Limit” illustrates how unions saves lives because according to Sabrain Joy King Bell, an Operating Engineers pre-apprentice, “so you can raise your family, you can get health benefits, you have a career.” View these videos of inspiration at www.aflcio.org. Look for the Innovation@Work tab.

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Pro-Labor newspaper, based in South-Central Kansas

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: PlainDealer May 2013

Memorial Day May 27

the

THIS ISSUEMachinist Union Fundraiser 2

April Election Results 3 At The Rail 4

Boston Workers’ Bravery 6

VOL. 93 ISSUE 31 May 2013A Voice for Working Kansans Since 1919plaindealer

The PlainDealer (316) 529-8513 3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS 67217–3704

Focus On Job Safeguards

Texas Plant Inspected in 1985By Mike Hall, aflcio.org, April 23

SEE CEO pg 8

Follo

w U

s.

Union Videos Highlight Good Work

CEO Pay Monitored CloselyPosted by goaim.org, April 23

Did you know that the CEOs of the “Campaign to Fix the Debt” – the corporate front group that wants to cut Social Security and Medicare and lower corporate taxes – have parked more than $418 billion of untaxed corporate profits overseas? Overall it is estimated that

U.S. corporations have as much as $1.9 trillion sheltered overseas. That would make a nice down payment on fixing the debt.

Read all about these facts and more in the 2013 edition of the AFL-CIO’s Executive PayWatch. PayWatch not only shines a light on the “Fix the Debt” hypocrisy, but it also explores the huge wage gap between CEO pay and the average U.S. worker.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka notes that since 1982, the CEO versus worker pay gap has jumped from 42 times more than the average rank-and-file worker to 2012’s record 354 times greater. In real dollars, a CEO of a Standard and Poor’s 500 Index company averaged $12.3 million a year in total compensation, while the average rank-and-file worker earned $36,654.

“Runaway CEO pay is fueling economic inequality in the U.S. and undermining our shared prosperity,” says Trumka. “In addition, high levels of CEO pay can encourage excessive risk by CEOs, which hurts the

The West, Texas, fertilizer plant, where a fire and explosion last week claimed at least 14

lives—including 11 firefighters and EMTs—and injured more than 200, was last inspected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1985.

In 2011, the West Fertilizer Co. filed an emergency response plan with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that said there was no risk of fire or explosion, despite the fact that as much as 54,000 pounds of flammable and toxic anhydrous ammonia could be stored on the site.

While the plant reported that it was storing up to 270 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate to state authorities—Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh needed just two tons to blow up the federal building and kill 168 people—it did not report that fact to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In addition, several other federal and state agencies had pieces of the regulatory responsibility to protect the workers and community. The plant was surrounded by homes, a senior citizen housing project and a nearby school. But as Bryce Covert of Think Progress writes:

Many of these agencies have previously cited and/or fined the company. But they aren’t required to coordinate with each other, and small distributors like the one that exploded are part of a system that focuses more on larger plants.

While those state and federal agencies may inspect certain segments of a plant’s operations—emissions, for example—OSHA is the agency with the broadest mandate and authority to inspect a plant’s entire operations, enforce safety and health laws and, if need be, shut it down. But as the 2012 AFL-CIO report Death on the Job notes, OSHA is so understaffed and underfunded that federal

inspectors can inspect each workplace on average of one each 131 years.

There are some 2,200 OSHA inspectors for the country’s 8

million workplaces and 130 million workers. In Texas, OSHA conducted 4,448 inspections in the past fiscal year, a pace that would mean it would visit every workplace in 126 years, according to Death on the Job.

In addition, says AFL-CIO Safety and Health Director Peg Seminario, the West Fertilizer plant had just seven employees and “these kind of workplaces are not typically inspected by OSHA.”

What people don’t understand is how limited resources are to oversee workplace safety and health.

BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster calls the 35-year gap, since the last inspection at the West Fertilizer plant, “a stunning indictment” of OSHA’s underfunding.

While the Obama administration has increased funding for OSHA after nearly a decade of cuts under the Bush administration, the Republican sequester now in place “means fewer inspectors to

SEE TEXAS pg 5

America’s unions make a difference everyday.

On the AFL-CIO website you can can watch numerous videos that highlight the positive impact unions have had on American workers.

The efforts of many individuals in towns across the country are thanked because of their leadership. The seven videos available include interviews with a variety of union workers.

For example, the video “The Sky’s the Limit” illustrates how unions saves lives because according to Sabrain Joy King Bell, an Operating Engineers pre-apprentice, “so you can raise your family, you can get health benefits, you have a career.”

View these videos of inspiration at www.aflcio.org. Look for the Innovation@Work tab.

Page 2: PlainDealer May 2013

2 — The PlainDealer

Follow daily union news updates on Twitter with us @theplaindealer1.

May 2013

Page 3: PlainDealer May 2013

Find us online at www.PlainDealerLaborNews.com! Add YOUR local’s events to our online calendar.

May 2013 3 — The PlainDealer

The Plaindealer (ISSN 0898-4360)Periodicals Postage Paid at Wichita, KS POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Plaindealer 3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS 67217–3704 (316) 529-8513

Vanessa Whiteside, Editor [email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Judy Pierce, President, Labor Federation Terry Haskins, Vice Pres (IAM LL 639) Tim Franta, Sec./ Treas (IAM LL 733) Kathy Petersen (IAM Local 839) Dan Rutherford (Local 834) Brian Alexander (IAM Local 774)Jarrod Lehman (IAM Local 839)

Founded in 1919 by Tom Tilma, the Plaindealer is the official publication of the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Fed-eration, AFL-CIO, and covers news of interest to working people.Advertising and stories are due by the 15th of each month. Subscription rates are $15 per year. Special rates available to union members and locals subscribing as a body.Story suggestions and letters to the editor should be sent to: The Plaindealer, 3830 S. Meridian Ave., Wichita, KS 67217–3704; [email protected] or call (316) 529–8513. To be considered for publication, letters to the editor must be signed, include the author’s telephone number and less than 500 words. Views expressed in letters to the editor are not necessarily the views of The Plaindealer, its board of direc-tors or affiliated unions.

Published monthly by Plaindealer Publishing, Inc.

at 3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS, 67217

April Election Results, Memorial Dinner, Fight Back RallyBy Jake Lowen, Working Kansas Alliance www.workingkansas.com

Wichita Election ResultsThe April elections for Wichita City Council and Wichita School board elections are over and labor-endorsed candidates fared well. Of the candidates endorsed by the Wichita / Hutchinson Labor Federation three won, and two lost.

The final results are as follows:

USD 259 Board of Education:

District 1 - Betty Arnold (no opponent)

District 2 - Joy Eakins

District 5 - John D. Crane (No labor endorsed candidate in this race)

Wichita City Council:

District 1 - Lavonta Williams (Labor Endorsed)

District 3 - James Clendenin (Labor Endorsed)

District 4 - Jeff Blubaugh

District 6 - Janet Miller (Labor Endorsed)

2013 Workers Memorial Day DinnerEvery year in late April, the unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew our efforts for safe workplaces. This year the struggle continues to create good jobs in this country that are safe and healthy and to ensure the freedom of workers to form unions and, through their unions, to speak out and bargain for respect and a better future. It’s time for our country to fulfill the

promise of safe jobs for all.

Please join the Wichita / Hutchinson Labor Federation as we commemorate Workers Memorial Day with our annual dinner on Thursday April 25th, 6pm at the Machinist Hall – 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita. We will have a free catered dinner from Stroud’s Fried Chicken as we remember those Kansas Workers who lost their lives on the job and renew our commitment to fight for good, SAFE, jobs. More details at whlaborfed.org

“Stand Up, Fight Back!” - May 4thThe Kansas legislature will reconvene Wednesday, May 8 for the veto session. While this has been a brutal session for worker attacks, the veto session does not signal the end of attacks but rather the beginning of more to come.

To that end, the Working Kansas Alliance is sponsoring a rally Saturday, May 4 beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the State Capitol South Steps, prior to the legislature’s return for the veto session. Because these attacks impact real people in all our communities, we’d like to have all of labor, community, and faith-based groups and their families to gather for this event.

This is our continuing effort to send a message to our Kansas legislature that labor and community are willing to stand up and fight back – now and as long as we must – to defend and preserve a fair and compassionate way of life.

Please make plans to attend. More info at whlaborfed.org or ks.aft.org/

Ricin Confirmed, APWU Monitors Developments And Provides UpdatesPosted by awpu.org, April 18

Postal managers gave employees Stand-Up Safety Talks on April 18, notifying workers that the FBI has confirmed the presence of ricin on two letters that passed through USPS mail-processing facilities in Memphis TN and Washington DC. One letter was addressed to President Obama; the other

was addressed to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS).

“Based on current information evaluated by public health and law enforcement experts, we do not believe the substance in the letters is in a form that would pose an inhalation or other risk to our employees,” the Postal Service said.

In a message to employees in facilities where the tainted mail traveled, the USPS said, “If someone were to inhale a quantity of ricin large enough to produce medical symptoms — which would include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing — these symptoms would appear within 24 hours.

“Given the time that has expired, if you have not experienced such symptoms recently, you should not be concerned. “If you have, we urge you to let your supervisor know and see your physician promptly for an evaluation. “We are continuing our direct outreach to employees in your area regarding any symptoms or illness they may be experiencing.

No postal employees have reported symptoms that would be expected from illnesses caused by ricin, managers reported in a teleconference with union officers on April 17.

“We know this is a challenging time for everyone,” the messages said. “If you wish to speak to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselor, one is available by calling 800-EAP-4-YOU, or TTY for the hearing impaired, 877-492-7341.

Happy Mother’s DaySunday, May 12

Page 4: PlainDealer May 2013

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May 2013

Sometimes no surprise is the surprise.

Remember last week, when we told you that a certain group of intense legislative-watchers were awaiting the pronouncement of the state’s top fiscal gurus of the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group assessment of what last year’s massive tax cuts would do for the state budget?

Well, we all wore clean shirts and were ready, but that pronouncement—key to wrapping up spending and taxing bills this legislative session—yielded essentially no surprise. No appreciable rise in state revenue, no plummeting state revenue, just about what the CREG predicted in November, and on which Gov. Sam Brownback based his budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Last November, CREG predicted the drop in income taxes that would occur as a result of last year’s tax cut bill. It was dramatic, all told about $1 billion less than was received in the previous fiscal year. Dramatic, but last fall’s estimate was essentially confirmed by last week’s estimate.

It’s apparently too early to tell whether those tax cuts mean expansion of the state’s economy, more jobs and more wage-earner income taxes flowing into the state treasury. It might happen in the next year or two, but lawmakers have to put together a budget and tax plan by mid-May for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

So, no real news (oh, about $20 million more revenue expected, but in a $5.5 billion State General Fund budget, $20 million is chump change) for lawmakers to react to when they reassemble on May 8 to wrap up the budget and tax policy.

And the no-surprise estimate means that the battle over continuation of the penny sales tax—which expires June 30 and the death of which is computed into the CREG estimate—will continue.

Had revenues been down more than expected, the sales tax might have been seen as the only way to balance the budget without a new round of severe spending cuts. Had revenues risen significantly, Brownback would have been applauded, and ironically, his sales tax continuation might have lost steam. But, it’s still too early to tell just how this tax cut business will work out, and so the governor wants the sales tax and legislators who campaigned on letting it expire don’t.

So, no news is news in that the end-of-session tax/spend battle continues with little in the way of new information for each side’s bargaining strategy. It means that what might have been a simple wind-down to the year’s Legislature won’t happen.

That means that every issue that involves dollars and every issue that relates to the governor’s continued effort to reduce income taxes continue, and everything from K-12 spending to higher education spending to social services to how much money can be pulled from the Kansas Department of Transportation is still in play.

The news: That nothing has changed.

Look for a tough wrap-up session.

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com

Direct PipelinePLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS LU441

Richard L. Taylor, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer

LOCALLYWorkers’ Memorial Day is observed every year on April 28. It is a day to honor those workers who have died on the job, to acknowledge the grievous suffering experienced by families and communities, and to recommit ourselves to the fight for safe and healthful workplaces for all workers. It is also the day OSHA was established in 1971. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their workers. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.Many job hazards are unregulated and uncontrolled. Some employers cut corners and violate the law, put-ting workers in serious danger and costing lives. Workers who report job hazards or job injuries some-times face the possibility of being fired or disciplined. Employers contract out dangerous work to try to avoid responsibility. As a result, each year thousands of workers are killed and millions more injured or diseased because of their jobs. The Obama administration has moved forward to strengthen protections with tougher enforcement and a focus on workers’ rights. We must all continue the fight for safe and healthy work sites. NEW ITEM…. Take time to visit the new Local 441 website. The new website is easy to navigate with added information and uses for the membership. The address is www.ua441.org. New t-shirts with new design and logo are in. Designer sunglasses with UA Local 441 engraved above the lens. We also have golf shirts and camp shirts and stainless steel pocket knives with Kansas Local 441 engraved on them. And as always, don’t forget Local 441 golf balls, t-shirts (long sleeve and short sleeve), and hats are available for the membership to purchase. Come by and get outfitted with Local 441 apparel.

DEATHS We are sorry to report the deaths of Brother Eldon G. Voth, 84, retired Plumber, residing in Hutchinson, KS, passed away on March 31, 2013, Brother Robert E. Dudley, 87, retired Plumber, residing in Spring Hill, TN, passed away on April 8, 2013, and Brother Albert Pintar, 89, retired Steam Fitter, residing in Franklin, KS, passed away on April 11, 2013. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends.

POLITICALSeveral bills have been submitted in various committees designed to attach labor and the middle class. Please contact your Legislator and let them know you do not appreciate all the negative labor bills that are being pushed through the House and Senate this session. Direct contact with your legislator is the best way to relay concern or a voice of support and does have an impact.

MEETINGSLocal Union 441 meetings are being conducted on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Union Hall located at 1330 East First Street in Wichita. If other meetings are scheduled, you will be duly notified.NOTE: Please take the opportunity to attend Union meetings in your area. The teleconference system is working well and has much better sound and video quality than in the past. The good news is that it is be-ing provided for no additional cost to Local 441.

Richard L. TaylorBusiness Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Local Union # 441

Retirees ClubThe next Retirees meetings will be on May 1st, June 5th and July 3rd at 10 a.m. at the Hall. Please come and join us!Breakfast is the second Wednesday at 9 a.m., at Village Inn, 7020 W Central from January through No-vember. All retired members and their families are invited to join us. Come enjoy the fellowship!

James Wilbert722-6859

Richard Taylor

At the Rail Column by Martin Hawver April 22, 2013

SPEAK OUT

Page 5: PlainDealer May 2013

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5 — The PlainDealerMay 2013

Local Union Bulletin Board Local 441 Kansas Golf Tournament 2013 - May 4www.ua441.org

Old Town Farmers Market - May 11-October 12http://www.oldtownfarmersmarket.com/

Mother’s Day at The Sedgwick County Zoo - May 12http://www.scz.org

Her Special Day

When: Sun. May 12, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Where: Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS 67212Cost: FREE for moms when accompanied by a paying child

Visit the zoo to view zoo moms and their babies. Stop by the pavilion from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and enjoy wonderful all-you-can-eat Chris Cakes pancake and sausage brunch for $5 per plate.

Wichita Ribfest - March 16-May 18http://www.intrustbankarena.com

Support Local Farms & Ranches

When: Begins May 11, 7:00 a.m. - NoonWhere: Old Town Farm & Art Market Square, 150 N. Mosley Wichita, KS 67202Cost: FREE admission

This growers market offers one-stop shopping for Kansas homemade gifts, fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats, cheeses, eggs, and plants. Live music is often played during the market.

Thursday, May 2Operating Engineers LU101— Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaSaturday, May 4Machinists Local 639— E-Board, 8 a.m., Regular Meeting, 9 a.m., WichitaLL733— E-Board, 8:30 a.m., Regular Meeting, 10 a.m., WichitaWednesday, May 8Machinists Local 1989— E-Board, 3:40 p.m., Regular Meeting, 3:50 p.m. 2005 Kansas Ave., Great Bend, 67530Thursday, May 9Wichita Area Union Label— E-Board, 5:30 p.m.; Regular Meeting, 6:30 p.m.Friday, May 10APWU Local 735— Regular Meeting, 8:00 a.m., 6920 W. Pueblo, WichitaSaturday, May 11 Machinists Local 834 — Regular Meeting, 10 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaMachinists Local 839— Regular Meeting, 10 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaMonday, May 13Plumbers & Pipefitters LU441– Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., 1330 E. 1st, WichitaTuesday, May 14Machinists Local 708— Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaThursday, May 16SPEEA— Midwest Council Meeting, 973 S. Glendale, WichitaSaturday, May 18 Machinists LL2799— E-Board meeting 9:30 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita Regular Meeting, 10:30 a.m. Machinists Local 774— 10 a.m. Regular Meeting, 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita Monday, May 20 NALC Branch 201— 7:30 p.m., NALC Br 201 Union Office 227 S. Pattie, Wichita USW Local 01350— Regular Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Union Hall 427 N. Main, Hutchinson, 67501 SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001— Membership Recruitment / Organizing Committee 973 S. Glendale, WichitaCWA Local 6402— E-Board, 5:30 p.m., 530 E. Harry, Wichita Stewards, 7 p.m., 530 E. Harry, WichitaThursday, May 30Wichita/Hutch Labor Fed— E-Board, 5:30 p.m.; Regular Meeting, 6:30 p.m.District 70 Retirees— Luncheon, 11:45 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita

Carnivore’s Carnival

When: May 16-18, 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.Where: City Lot D, 777 E. Waterman, Wichita, KS 67202Cost: $4 at the door, children (12 & under) free Free admission with a Wichita Riverfest button

Taste succulent smoked bbq from a number of local and visiting vendors. Expect live music, classic car show, kid’s play zone, and corn hole tournament.

What: Four Person ScrambleWhen: Sat. May 4, 8:00 a.m. shotgun startWhere: Sand Creek Station Golf Course 920 Meadowbrook Dr, Newton, KSCost: $70 per player (includes lunch/2 drink tickets/prizes)

Please join us at this fun socializing event.Money and registration of your team needs to be reserved by Friday, April 26, 2013. Contact Local 441 to register at (316) 265-4291 or email: [email protected]. Download your registration form at www.ua441.org.

Union Event

monitor facilities like the West Fertilizer Company,” says Keith Wrightson, worker safety and health advocate for Public Citizen.

Small budgets also make it even harder for the agency to issue new safety standards. The agency’s budget is similar to what it was several decades ago, but the size of the economy—and the number and complexity of workplaces to inspect—has grown tremendously.

Tom O’Connor, executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, says, “This tragic explosion points to the need for more resources allocated to OSHA.”

With adequate funding for more OSHA inspectors, more potentially dangerous sites— like this fertilizer manufacturing plant—can be inspected and hazards abated.

But while workplace safety advocates have pushed for stronger health and safety standards—including chemical safety standards for facilities such as West Fertilizer, Covert writes:

Even with all of the evidence that the plant fell through a variety of regulatory cracks, an industry-backed bill with ties to the Koch brothers with the support of 11 congressmen would reduce the EPA’s powers to regulate major chemical sites.

TEXAS cont. from pg 1

Page 6: PlainDealer May 2013

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May 2013

Workers Memorial Dinner

In honor of working people, who were hurt of killed on the job, area union members and their families gathered for the annual Workers Memorial Day dinner at the Machinist Hall in Wichita on April 25. Forty years ago the OSHA law and mine safety law were enacted promising workers a right to a safe job.

Because the Wichita Fire Fighter Honor Guard was away fighting a local blaze, the posting of the colors didn’t take place. However, Wichita Hutchinson Labor Federation (WHLF) Vice President Bill

Rogers led attendees in The Pledge of Allegiance and opened the ceremony. Later, union families heard WHLF Political Director Jake Lowen announced that workplace fatalities and injuries has declined significantly in part because of organized unions that demanded action.

Another speaker, OSHA Regional Director Judy Freeman, addressed the role of OSHA and their response to workplace safety issues. One audience member asked Freeman to talk about how OSHA determines fines to employers at fault. Audience members included several state legislature representatives.

Special guest Richard Crowson, an editorial cartoonist at The Wichita Eagle, displayed his comical cartoons and explained how many of his drawings develop from concept to creation. Crowson also played his banjo and sang one of his original songs about Kansas Govenor Sam Brownback. Lowen presented the cartoonist with the 2013 Friend of Labor Award to recognize Crowson’s support of area workers.

The evening concluded with Rogers’ reading of the poem “A Prayer for the Fallen” and 77 ringing bells for each of the workplace families who lost their lives in workplace fatalities in 2011.

Page 7: PlainDealer May 2013

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7 — The PlainDealerMay 2013

For more pictures from the Workers Memorial Dinner on April 25 visit our Twitter page @theplaindealer1. Follow us online for daily union news.

Page 8: PlainDealer May 2013

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May 2013

Today 1199 SEIU members working at the Boston Medical Center reflected on the aftermath of Monday’s tragic bombing at the Boston Marathon finish line. The hospital, minutes away from the site of the explosions, received several of the casualties that day. Frontline healthcare workers at the hospital, including many 1199SEIU members, answered the call of duty to save lives and provide exceptional care.

“It was crazy there for a good while. It was a traumatic atmosphere. We saw double amputees, people with shrapnel. It was horrific,” said Brian Johnson, an anesthesia technician at BMC.

“Everybody pitched in, from transport to registration to interpreters, dietary, secretaries. It was an incredible, incredible group effort. Other nurses and doctors from other parts of the hospital came. Radiology came. I’ve never felt more proud of our hospital,” said Brenda Voight, a Registered Nurse in the BMC Emergency Room.

SEIU staff and members continue to keep the victims on Monday’s bombing in our thoughts and prayers. In a joint email to 1199SEIU members, President George Gresham, Secretary Treasurer Maria Castaneda, and Executive Vice President Veronica Turner, expressed in part the following:

“As a united family of 375,000 caregivers across the East Coast, including nearly 50,000 caregivers in Massachusetts, we send our deepest condolences, unity, and love to the families and friends of the departed. We extend our unity, love, and prayers also to those still battling for life or against injury - whether they are in our direct care or in the capable caring hands of our medical colleagues across the great City of Boston.

Volunteers needed to help unload donated food

Saturday May 11, 2013

If you would like to volunteer please contact:

Mario Cervantes

AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison

United Way of the Plains

316-267-1321 EXT 4209

[email protected]

Groups (CS Committee’s) and individual Volunteer opportunities available

Please consider volunteering for this most important ONE-DAY Food Drive

Let’s all come out and support our NALC Sister’s and Brother’s

Union Response

Workers commended for braveryPress Releases from Local 718 & AFL-CIO, April 2013

The fund for the victims of the BostonMarathon Terrorism Attack will benefit victims and families from the marathon attack. The fund will be administered through the Boston Firefighters Credit Union, located at 60 Hallet St., Dorchester, MA 02124.

The credit union will accept check donations and online donations. For more information, visit www.bosfirecu.com or call 857-220-0133.

April 17, 2013

Today, our country mourns again and struggles to understand acts of indiscriminate and horrifying violence.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones in the Boston explosions, and those who are coping with the aftermath of such senseless violence. We condemn those who carried out these acts and practice such hatred.

Many questions remain, but such tragedies remind us of the fragility of life, but also the ability for our communities to come together and heal.

We commend all the first responders who time and time again risk their lives and run towards chaos to attend to the injured and comfort those in need.

Richard Trumka, President

AFL-CIO

April 16, 2013

Dear Brother & Sister Firefighters:

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done in the tragedy of the bombing at the Boston Marathon. We worked “together” with the Boston Police, Boston EMS, and other branches of service. I have never been prouder to be a member of the Boston Fire Department.

This historic tragedy has brought out the best in us all, as service men and women and as human beings. We must continue to do so.

Fraternally,

Richard F. Paris, President

Boston Firefighters Local 718

Union Members Answer the Call of Duty in BostonBy SEIU Communications, www.seiu.org, April 17

long-term prospects of the companies they run.”

PayWatch unveils several new features this year, including the multimillion dollar nest eggs of the leading Business Roundtable CEOs—the same group that wants to cut Social Security benefits, the records of 40 of the largest mutual funds and their votes on CEO pay proposals for the companies in which they invest, the CEO to worker pay gap around the world, and trends in CEO pay.

CEO cont. from pg 1