Opinion Pieces

A train derailed and sickened many residents of Paulsboro, exposing residents and emergency responders to a cloud of vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen. It was a terrible illustration of the need for more effective emergency response planning and training. Full Article by Dominick Marino, President, Professional Firefighters Association of NJ & WEC Board Member and Dan Fatton, WEC Executive Director February 19, 2016 - Star Ledger

The New Jersey Supreme Court overturned a lower court decision and held that an employee who engages in whistleblowing is protected by the NJ Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), even when the whitsleblowing is part of the employee's regular job duties. Full Article by Andrew Dwyer, an attorney in Newark at The Dwyer Law Firm and Debra Coyle McFadden, interim director of the New Jersey Work Environment Council. July 18, 2015 - Star Ledger

Should corporate secrecy come before protection of human lives? That question was raised dramatically by four events recently involving railroad safety, including the deadly Amtrak crash in Philadelphia. Full Article by Dominick Marino, President, Professional Firefighters Association of NJ & WEC Board Member and Debra Coyle McFadden, WEC staff July 5, 2015 - Courier-Post

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

All of us have become used to seeing news reports of people killed because of a chemical explosion or fire. Or they're left out of work or homeless because of a toxic spill. Or left without drinking water because of a massive chemical leak. But a key part of the story is often lost amid the human tragedy. In nearly all cases, the damage to families and communities was preventable. Full Article by John Shinn, Director, United Steelworkers District 4 & WEC Board Member and Jeff Tittel, Director, NJ Sierra Club & WEC Board Member June 3, 2014 - The Star Ledger

It's easy for giant corporations like the Secaucus-based clothing company, Children's Place, to talk the talk of "social responsibility" and caring about children and families. But it often takes public pressure to get them to actually walk the walk. Until a year ago, clothes for The Children's Place were produced in a factory at Rana Plaza, an eight-story building in Savar, Bangladesh. Workers there helped generate the $53 million in net profits that the company pocketed last year. Full Article by John Pajak, Vice President, Teamsters Local 877 & WEC President May 25, 2014 - The Jersey Journal