Highlights

"With our state in the throes of knock down, drag out fights surrounding competing and different educational funding philosophies, one area of near certain agreement is that all students deserve a safe and healthy learning environment. Passing temperature control legislation and working with school districts to create common sense plans for addressing this increasingly common hazard would take us closer to realizing safe and healthy learning environments for all of New Jersey public school students. " Full opinion-editorial by Jerell Blakeley, WEC campaign organizer in The Star Ledger, September 21, 2016

With the average age of New Jersey's public schools at more than 50 years old and with many schools dating back to the turn of the 20th century, we are concerned that custodian privatization will have negative ramifications for the quality of our school facilities. "Investing in schools means investing in the personnel that keep our buildings safe and healthy. As the debate around equitable school-funding rages, New Jersey school districts would be wise to think twice about privatization, which often carries substantial hidden costs coupled with reduced performance." Full opinion-editorial by Jerell Blakeley, WEC Campaign Organizer in August 15, 2016 - NJ Spotlight

Right in the shadow of the New Jersey Statehouse, the workers were dry cutting the sidewalk concrete, unwittingly putting themselves and the public in danger. Silica exposure impacts thousands of workers; in New Jersey more than 150,000 work in construction, but those who work with glass, pottery, jewelry and even dentistry might be impacted. Full Article by Ken Hoffner, Assistant Director, NJ Laborers' Health and Safety Fund and Dan Fatton, WEC Executive Director August 8, 2016 - Asbury Park Press Online

EPA should seize the opportunity to act to protect public safety and the environment from toxic chemical disasters. But will it apply the lessons learned in New Jersey? This spring, EPA proposed amending its Risk Management Program (RMP) rule that covers facilities using extraordinarily hazardous substances. The proposed rule exempts 88 percent of the total RMP-covered facilities, including entire industry sectors with known safer alternatives. Full Opinion-Editorial by John Shinn, Director, United Steelworkers District 4 and Debra Coyle McFadden, WEC Assistant Director August 4, 2016 - The Star Ledger

Every day 12 people leave but don't come back to their loved ones. Yet, often these personal disasters and tragedies could have been avoided if safety on the job actually was the priority. "Our goal is to eliminate these tragedies, so that workers stop coming home injured, unable to work and forced into poverty, or worse, not coming home at all." See the full opinion-editorial by Dan Fatton, director of WEC & Lou Kimmel, director of New Labor.