WEC Statement on Alden Leeds Fire
The threat of a catastrophic chemical release remains a major vulnerability for New Jersey. Every year, chemical releases, fires, and explosions claim lives and threaten residents’ health across the nation. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country, nestled between New York City and Philadelphia, and has one of the highest ratios of toxic facilities per square mile in the nation. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported from the chlorine fire at the Alden Leeds facility in South Kearny. Alden leads manufactures pool chemicals including chlorine tablets. The Pulaski Skyway was shut down in [...]
Bear Spray Incident at NJ Amazon Warehouse Shine Light on Safety Record
Internet giant Amazon was urged by a worker advocacy group weeks ago to give workplace safety its urgent attention. After a bear spray can fell off a shelf and discharged at an Amazon warehouse in Robbinsville, sending two dozen workers to the hospital, The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health said the company needs to do a better job moving products without hurting people. "Amazon needs to invest in safety and do better by their workers," said said Debra Coyle McFadden, executive director of the NJ Work Environment Council, a group that advocates for workplace safety. Read the full story on Asbury [...]
Offshore Wind Farm Could Create 75,000 More Jobs, Report Finds
A new report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) and the New Jersey Work Environment Council (WEC) says that new offshore wind farms in coastal states could create more than 75,000 jobs. “This report underscores a major opportunity to not only put people to work installing those turbines, but also to create a regional supply chain that will provide family-sustaining jobs in the manufacturing and distribution industries,” WEC Executive Director Dan Fatton said. Read the full story on the Daily Energy Insider.
NJ Senate Revives Weinberg’s Oil Train Transparency Bill Chris Christie Vetoed
The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee approved an oil train transparency bill on Monday, reviving an effort that had been stymied by former Gov. Chris Christie. The legislation, S-1883, would require railroads to develop oil spill response plans in case of a derailment. The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck, would also require more transparency from railroads about their shipment of flammable liquids through the state. The states surrounding New Jersey have made the routes and estimated volumes of oil train traffic publicly accessible when compelled by public information requests from news organizations. Effectively, the public already [...]
Bloomfield Mayor Venezia Joins Mayors of other Earned Sick Day Towns to Call for Statewide Action
Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia joined the mayors of Jersey City, Montclair, Newark, Passaic, Morristown, and Plainfield, to call for statewide legislative action to extend coverage to all New Jersey workers; Each of these municipalities have earned sick day policies in place. "Ensuring that all workers in New Jersey have access to earned sick days is a common sense policy to guarantee working families have options when a breadwinner needs time to recover from an illness or injury; allowing workers time off to recover while sick also protects the rest of us by keeping germs out of the workplace," said [...]
Many Poor Schools in New Jersey are Overcrowded
Two-thirds of low-income school districts in New Jersey don't have adequate space to serve their students, according to a report by the NJ Department of Education (DOE). "The report makes clear the enormous unmet needs in the SDA districts, and the continued failure of the current administration to address overcrowding and educational adequacy," said Jerell Blakeley, campaign organizer with the NJ Work Environment Council and coordinator of the Healthy Schools Now campaign. Read/Listen to the full story on WNYC.