The NJ Supreme Court ruling today in Lippman v. Ethicon assures that the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) will remain a viable statute. The court rejected the argument that employees would not have whistleblower protection if identifying health and safety issues is part of their regular job duties. See the Press Release here
The deadly hazards of Bakken crude oil shipments are of particular concern to residents of New Jersey, as thousands of these rail cars now pass through our towns in at least 11 counties. A derailment in communities such as Edison, Woodbridge, Carteret, Perth Amboy or Linden would threaten hundreds of thousands of people and the environment. The vapors from a spill, even without a fire or explosion, pose a serious health risk, including exposure to cancer-causing benzene; toluene, which has been linked to nerve damage; and hydrocarbons that have been linked to lung damage. There are two pieces of legislation that will be voted on by the Senate this Monday that will help protect New Jersey communities. Please contact your Senator and tell them to vote yes on S2979 and SCR165. S-2979 (Weinberg D-37/Gordon D-38) Requires owners of railroad bridges to submit annual bridge inspection records to the Department of Transportation. SCR165 (Weinberg D-37/Sacco D-32) Urges Congress to pass "Crude-by-Rail Safety Act" which would strengthen safety measures for the transport of crude oil by rail to protect the environment, the public, and communities in America. For more information on the hazards of Bakken crude oil by rail, download the WEC factsheet [...]
Workers in New Jersey recently protested against on-the-job hazards that can significantly harm or even kill employees. In 2013, workplace violence kept an average of four employees per 10,000 off the job in the private sector, but four times that many health care workers lost time at work - and it's trending up from the year before. See Article / Video Here
Workers' Memorial Day is a time to remember those who died on the job or suffered workplace injuries, while raising awareness to prevent future illnesses, injuries and deaths. Pictures from the event Media Coverage April 25, 2016 Home News Tribune Hundreds Rally for Safe Working Conditions The rally and spirited march focused on the demand for respect, including safe work and a living wage. New Labor and the New Jersey Work Environment Council (WEC) helped organize the event, which included 35 other organizations as endorsers. April 26, 2015 Erin Pentenko/The Daily Targum New Brunswick Residents March to Remember Workers Injured during Jobs A computer rack fell on one man, crushing his legs under thousands of pounds and killing him. An angry patient attacked and stabbed a caseworker, nearly killing her before the woman's coworkers stepped in. Press Release Hundreds of Workers and Allies Rally and March to Demand Safe Working Conditions On Sunday, April 24th, hundreds of workers from community organizations, unions, and faith-based groups rallied in New Brunswick, NJ to observe Workers' Memorial Day, an internationally recognized event held annually to commemorate those who have been killed or injured on the job and to renew the fight for safe [...]
Under the federal law, the Christie administration must ensure that every county and municipality has an up-to-date emergency response plan that is accessible to the public. Full Article by Jeffrey Moran, Retired Woodbridge Fire Captain and Janice Selinger, WEC Staff April 7, 2015 - Star Ledger
What happens if a nurse at a New Jersey hospital or nursing home observes a legal violation that endangers patient care, informs her supervisor, and is fired for doing so? Full Article by David Tykulsker, WEC General Counsel and Attorney in Montclair January 8, 2015 - Star Ledger Opinion
The governor's failure to ensure public oversight required by law has serious consequences. The hazards posed to residents and workers in Bergen County, as well as to other parts of New Jersey, by new ultra-flammable Bakken oil shipments on our railroads have been well-documented by The Record's Scott Fallon. The issue our state now faces is: Who has the responsibility to do something about it? Full Article by Rev. Fletcher Harper, Executive Director of Greenfaith & WEC President-Elec and Senator Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg December 26, 2014 - The Record
The Christie administration is failing to ensure the public has access to up-to-date emergency response plans for nearly a hundred facilities handling extremely hazardous chemicals, according to a labor and environmental organization. See Article Here
Labor and environmental groups on Tuesday called on the Christie administration to ensure that the public can review local emergency management plans, a concern because large quantities of volatile crude oil are being transported on railways through towns in Bergen County and elsewhere in New Jersey. See Article Here
