Author Archives: New Hampshire Labor News

About New Hampshire Labor News

The New Hampshire Labor News is a group of NH Workers who believe that we need to protect ourselves against the attacks on workers. We are proud union members who are working to preserve the middle class. The NHLN talks mostly about news and politics from NH. We also talk about national issues that effect working men and women here in the Granite State.

NH House Super Committee Votes On SB 152 The Casino Gambling Bill. Statements by Gov Hassan and NHBTC Pres Joe Casey

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 15, 2013 - 5:25 pm | , ,
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roulette wheel casino

Today the NH House Finance and Ways & Means Committee voted on the very controversial cansino gambling bill SB152. The vote 22-23 to ITL the bill.  In most cases the ITL is a vote to kill the bill.  The NH Legislature is still required to vote on the bill and this is good news for those of us who are pushing for this bill to pass.

The full house vote is expected to be as close as the committee vote and the bill could be changed on the floor.  Governor Hassan released this statement after the vote:

“I am extremely encouraged by the closeness of today’s committee vote. Even without members having the opportunity to vote on bipartisan amendments, the one-vote margin demonstrates the strong and growing support in the House of Representatives for SB 152.

“As the bill moves to the floor, I believe the full House will give a more complete consideration to this legislation and the proposed bipartisan amendments that were not voted on today. I am confident the House understands that the people of New Hampshire want to invest in the priorities needed to create jobs, strengthen our communities, and spur innovative economic growth: higher education, mental health, public safety, economic development, and other critical areas. And the people of New Hampshire strongly support funding our priorities through one highly regulated destination casino.

“I urge the full House to listen to the people we represent, thoughtfully consider the legislation and proposed changes, and vote in favor of moving forward with our own plan to build a stronger, more innovative New Hampshire.”

People overwhelmingly support the expanded gambling.  This job creation bill is long overdue and will significantly help the NH Building Trades who are starving for work since the beginning of the recession.

NH Building and Construction Trades Council President Joe Casey issued the following statement after today’s 23-22 vote in the Joint House Committee to review the casino gaming bill:

“Today the work of the special Joint House Committee on SB152 was hijacked by committee leadership, who employed a deceitful parliamentary trick to cut off debate on 16 amendments that would have improved the bill.

After weeks of dirty tricks by the anti-casino lobby, I was shocked to see committee Chair Mary Jane Wallner resort to the same kind of underhanded tactics we saw under former Speaker Bill O’Brien. I would never have expected this type of behavior from Representatives who have pledged to operate with fairness and transparency. This is a sad day for the New Hampshire House.

It’s clear from today’s razor-thin vote that SB152 would have seen a favorable outcome if a vote on amendments to improve the bill had been allowed.  Instead, Chairperson Wallner put her personal preference ahead of what’s best for the people of New Hampshire.

63% of Granite Staters support bringing expanded gaming to New Hampshire, and we will work hard to make sure their voices are heard on the House floor next week.

I call on Speaker Norelli to put aside her bias against this bill and pledge to have an open and fair process on the floor next week. If she refuses to put aside the tactics of Bill O’Brien, she should hand the gavel over to someone who will.”

We will have to see what happens when the full House meets to debate this bill in the coming weeks.

Transport Workers and Machinist Union to Jointly Represent Ground Workers at the “New” American Airlines

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 14, 2013 - 9:56 pm | , ,
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TWU and IAM Logo
TWU and IAM Logo

TWU and IAM Logo

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) today announced a partnership to jointly represent nearly 30,000 ground workers at the “new” American Airlines following the merger of American Airlines and US Airways.

This week the two international unions have signed joint agreements to cover the Mechanic & Related, Fleet Service, and Stores employee work groups at the soon to be merged airline. The new labor partnership, to be known as the TWU/IAM Employee Association, will ask the federal National Mediation Board (NMB) to hold elections among the combined employees for each classification after the close of the American-US Airways merger.  The election will formalize the joint-council agreement reached this week.

“I am proud that our two great unions put the members first in a true demonstration of solidarity,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “These agreements protect our members’ representation, pensions and seniority. Working jointly with the TWU, we will ensure both unions’ members are rewarded in this merger.”

“This agreement allows us to use our combined strength and resources on behalf of all our members as we move forward at the new American Airlines,” said TWU International President James C. Little.  “Both unions have decades of experience representing workers at US Airways and American Airlines and both unions are members of the AFL-CIO.”

Following certification, negotiating committees comprised of an equal number of representatives from each union will begin working out the details of collective bargaining agreements to cover the combined carriers’ employees.

The accords reached this week, designate which union will enforce a post-merger agreement in specific cities, as well as providing a mechanism to designate contract enforcement responsibilities if the carrier expands to new markets.

The IAM currently represents Mechanic and Related, Fleet Service, and Stores employees at US Airways; TWU represents these classifications at American. TWU also currently represents aircraft dispatchers, flight crew training instructors and flight simulator engineers at both airlines. Additionally, IAM represents Maintenance Instructors at US Airways.

The full agreements and a Question and Answer document are available at both the IAM website www.usaamerger.com and at the Transport Workers Union’s website: www.twu.org.

Imagine A Wold Without The USPS, This Infographic Shows What We Would Lose

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 14, 2013 - 3:59 pm | ,
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World WIthout Post Office

Can you imagine what the world would look like without the US Postal Service?  With the never ending attacks on the USPS, this could soon be a reality.  We cannot allow this to happen.  The USPS handles 438 million pieces of mail every day, moving over 40% of the worlds mail.

Below is a great infographic that highlights some of the things that would be lost if we loose the USPS.  The USPS is the second largest employer in the United States, and directly effects over 8 million jobs.  These workers deliver 160 billion pieces of mail every year.   And they do it all without taking any money from taxes. The USPS is completely self funded by the revenue generated from postage.

One of the best things highlighted by this infographic is the charity donations that the USPS help to raise.  Over $76 million dollars raised for breast cancer research, and nearly $2 million dollars for endangered animals.

We must stay united in our effort to preserve this Constitutionally protected service.  The problems facing the USPS are all due to the pre-funding requirement set forth by Congress.  The USPS is being forced to pre-fund their retirement system for 75 years in the next 10 years.  This is the only reason the USPS is ‘loosing money’.  If Congress removes this restriction we will continue to have a vibrant postal service for eternity.

Life without the United States Postal Service
Source: NumberSleuth

Expanding Medicaid Will Greatly Benefit Veterans In NH

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 13, 2013 - 10:20 am | ,
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Will Thomas

NHLN Note: This another letter to the editor from a concerned NH veteran on why we need Medicaid  expansion. 

Will Thomas

Will Thomas

Dear Editor,

According to a recent analysis by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute, it is estimated that 1500 uninsured New Hampshire veterans and 800 uninsured veterans’ spouses would be among the hard-working, low-income Granite Staters who would be newly eligible for Medicaid if New Hampshire’s government decides to expand it. The governor and the NH House both support expansion of Medicaid while the NH Senate has yet to vote on this issue.

The study cited above reports that out of America’s 1.3 million uninsured veterans (this is disgraceful), 40 percent could qualify for expanded Medicaid benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) otherwise known as “Obama Care.”  Yet, of the half-million uninsured veterans who would be potentially medicaid eligible under the ACA, 3/4 — 414,000 people — have incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level and would NOT qualify for exchange subsidies if their state does not expand medicaid. Thus, the vote by NH’s State Senate is crucial.

The Urban Institute study I mentioned does not even take into account the thousands of veterans who have yet to return home from the waning Afghanistan War. Those veterans are mostly young people who will be forced to confront the widespread economic inequality, record homelessness, and unprecedented levels of PTSD and suicide that are plaguing veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Everyone says they “support the troops.”  But, is this only when they are sent off to war, but not when they return?  My organization, Veterans for Peace, has a cadence when we march:  ”They wave the flag when you attack, but when you come home, they turn their back.”  Please, NH State Senators, do not turn your backs on those low-income veterans and their spouses who deserve and need health care.

Will Thomas, Coordinator

NH Veterans for Peace

PS: A letter to the Manchester Union Leader said that the expansion of Medicaid will cost the taxpayers of NH $126 million over 10 years. She neglected to add that NH taxpayers will be sending Israel $116 million over 10 years as part of the $30 billion aid package George W. Bush signed and now, Barak Obama wants to increase to $40 billion! Surely, our NH tax dollars should go to support our veterans and low income folks rather than sending over $116 million to the world’s fourth largest military and to an economically viable country.

 

5-13-13 AFT-NH Legislative Update From Pres. Laura Hainey

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 13, 2013 - 8:58 am | , ,
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aft sqaure

UPCOMING FULL HOUSE VOTES May 22nd

The House Labor Committee recommended defeating SB 100: AN ACT authorizing electronic payment of payroll. This bill will affect all public employees in New Hampshire. This bill will do the following:

  • Delete the requirement that an employer who pays wages by electronic fund transfer offer employees the option of being paid by check.
  • Permits an employer to pay wages with a payroll card after offering employees the option of being paid by direct deposit.

AFT-NH is opposed to this bill and supports the Committee recommendation to defeat this bill.  We understand that many employees do receive their paycheck by direct deposit but there are many who prefer the paper check and they should still have this option. It might be different if they were proposing the cost savings be shared with the employee.

UPCOMING FULL SENATE VOTES—DATE NOT YET SET

The Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee recommended passage of HB 124 as amended: relative to the determination of gainful occupation for a group II member receiving an accidental disability retirement allowance from the retirement system.

This bill:
I. Reinserts a provision which removes the application of the gainful occupation reductions to retirement allowances of group II accidental disability beneficiaries who have years of service plus years of accidental disability retirement which total at least 20 and who have attained the age of 45.
II. Allows the director of homeland security and emergency management in the department of safety the option to rejoin the retirement system as a member and to continue group II retirement status based on prior service and group II membership, and allows the assistant director of homeland security and emergency management to continue group II retirement status based on prior service and group II membership.
III. Provides for the appointment of the director of the division of homeland security and emergency management for terms of 3 years.
AFT-NH supports the recommendation of passage.

AFT-NH BILL TRACKER UPDATE

Click here to review AFT-NH bill tracker and see where each bill is and where AFT-NH stands on each bill.

STATE BUDGET

The Senate held a public hearings on HB 1: making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the State for fiscal years ending June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2015, and on HB 2: relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures Thursday. Many who testified ask that they fund programs that are very much needed like the CHINs program, community health center, personal care attendant, community based program for adduction, and preventative care programs.

In the end Chairman Morse stated “in so many words” that the Senate budget will look a lot different and be a lot leaner than the House’s proposed budget. To review all the documents that have been discussed click here.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me at lhainey@aft-nh.org.

In Solidarity,
Laura Hainey
AFT-NH President

UPCOMING HEARINGS FOR NEXT WEEK
Note the ones in red are priority bills for AFT-NH


MONDAY, MAY 13

STATEWIDE EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (RSA 193-C:7), Room 103, LOB
10:00 a.m. Regular meeting.

TUESDAY, MAY 14

HEALTH, EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 103, LOB
9:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION
10:00 a.m. Presentation: New Hampshire Public Charter School Association
Presentation: Department of Education

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:30 a.m. Subcommittee work session on retained HB 435-FN, relative to funding for chartered public school pupils, HB 243, relative to the board of trustees of a chartered public school, HB 424-FN, relative to review of chartered public school applications by the state Board of Education.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 97, relative to high school equivalency and relative to illiteracy.
10:30 a.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 82, establishing a commission to identify strategies needed for developing and implementing a competency-based public education system.
11:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on. SB 27-FN, relative to monitoring by the Department of Education of programs for children with disabilities.

FRIDAY, MAY 17

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
SENATE FINANCE BRIEFINGS
10:00 a.m. Department of Education

TUESDAY, MAY 21

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on SB 27-FN, relative to monitoring by the Department of Education of programs for children with disabilities, SB 48, relative to school performance and accountability.

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB
10:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on retained HB 494, relative to the administration of glucagon injections for pupils.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

TASK FORCE ON WORK AND FAMILY (RSA 276-B:1), Room 207, LOB
1:15 p.m. Regular meeting.

Overtime vs. Comp Time: US House Pushes To Take Away Overtime Pay

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 11, 2013 - 8:52 am | , , ,
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Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL)
Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL)

Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL)

This week the US House passed legislation to strike down advances made by unions and workers for decades.  Through collective bargaining workers have made significant advances in the areas of time off and overtime pay. The US House, led by their Tea Party Speaker John Boehner, want to take that away.

On Wednesday May 8th, the US House passed HR 1406. The aptly named ‘Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013‘ or aka the ‘Work More for Less Pay Act’.  The bill would effectively allow employers to pay workers in compensatory time off in lieu of overtime.  The proponents of the bill say this would allow workers the ability to bank time gained by working overtime to be used at a later date.

Rep Martha Roby (R-AL) introduced the bill by stating:

“Talk to just about any working mom and dad and they’ll tell you they need more time. They need just one more hour in the day to be able to take care of responsibilities and make life work. We can’t legislate another hour in the day, but we can help working Americans better balance their time by removing unnecessary federal restrictions on comp time in the private sector.”

I would beg to differ on this.  One of the reasons that people do not have enough time in the day is because their level of productivity is continually to being pushed higher and higher.  Now with the invention of smartphones workers are spending more and more of their ‘free time’ to answer phone calls and emails.   CBS News in Chicago highlighted a case in court right now that would force employers to pay workers for time spent answering emails and phone calls after hours. However that is a completely different story.

HR 1406 is said to give freedom to the worker, in reality it saves the employer money by not having to pay out mandatory time and a half overtime rates.  The bill also does not guarantee the employee the right to take time off when they actually need it.

A senior economist for the Center for Economic and Policy Research writes, “Its major effect would be to hamstring workers — likely increasing overtime hours for those who don’t want them and cutting pay for those who do.” (TNDP.ORG)

NH Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) opposes this legislation in part due to the  lack of language allowing the employee to use the time for personal appointments.

“Giving up overtime pay is a big deal for workers, and in return they aren’t even guaranteed they’ll get to use their comp time when they really need it,” Shea-Porter said.  “This is not flexibility for workers. It’s less pay for workers. I urge Speaker Boehner to bring bills to the floor that actually help middle class families by creating jobs and ending sequestration.”

In fact, Congresswoman Shea-Porter offered an amendment to HR 1406, that was crushed by the GOP, that would  not allow employers to deny workers from using ‘comp time’ to attend:

  • Attend a medical appointment
  • Care for a sick child or family member
  • For veterans, to attend counseling or rehabilitation appointments for injuries suffered in combat.

On the floor of the House Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) said “this is one of the saddest days this House of Representatives has ever seen“.

Working families are struggling to pay their bills. Too many are living paycheck to paycheck, and now they want to steal more money out of their paychecks.  For some people overtime pay is what is keeping their heads above water, and this would push millions of working families into a deeper hole.

I applaud all the Representatives who opposed this legislation in the House.  These Reps are the ones who are standing up for struggling working families.  These Reps truly understand the harm that legislation like this would have on all working families.  I hope that the Senate will send this bill to where it truly belongs, the trash.

NH Congresswomen Weigh In On The So-Called “Full Faith and Credit Act”

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 10, 2013 - 8:18 pm | , , ,
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Ann kuster head shot LG

Carol Shea-Porter_Official.2010-300x288WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives voted on H.R. 807, a bill that would ensure Chinese bondholders are paid before American soldiers in the case of a government default.

After the vote, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter issued the following statement:

“I strongly oppose this deeply irresponsible legislation. Middle class families can’t pick and choose which bills to pay, and neither should Congress. 

“H.R. 807 guarantees that if Republicans push our nation into default, bondholders from China and the Cayman Islands would be paid before America’s veterans, Medicare providers, and small businesses. 

“Instead of playing chicken with our nation’s credit rating, Congress should act responsibly and pay the bills that it has incurred.  I, once again, call on Speaker Boehner to appoint budget conferees so Congress can compromise on a sensible budget that ends sequestration, helps create jobs, and responsibly reduces the deficit.”

Congresswoman Annie Kuster also released a statement after her vote:

Ann kuster head shot LG“This bill is nothing more than a plan to default on our nation’s obligations, plain and simple,” Kuster said. “It sets the stage for yet another manufactured crisis that would prioritize payments to China and other foreign creditors over our obligations to seniors on Medicare, veterans, and the men and women of our Armed Forces.”

“Rather than simply bracing for default, both parties need to work together to reduce the deficit in a balanced way that will help create jobs, grow the economy, and strengthen the middle class,” Kuster added. “As we do, Congress must reassure creditors and the American people that our government will continue to meet its obligations and avoid a catastrophic default. Any suggestion that we would even consider doing otherwise would be irresponsible, undermine confidence in our government, and put our credit rating at risk.”

 

AFL-CIO President Trumka Calls For Immediate Action Needed In Bangladesh

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 10, 2013 - 10:50 am | , ,
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Hasan Raza/Associated Press

Working people around the world are watching in horror and disbelief as the number of workers who have needlessly died in Bangladesh rises. Now, over 800 brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, friends and loved ones have been confirmed dead in a tragedy that never should have happened – and hundreds more remain missing. There is no doubt that the collapse of the Rana Plaza building and factories in Bangladesh will be known as one of the worst workplace catastrophes in history. We must collectively as a nation and as a world, together with Bangladesh, take immediate steps to prevent these kinds of disasters in the future.

First and foremost, the AFL-CIO encourages the unions and corporations throughout the supply chain to negotiate, sign and implement a binding agreement regarding workplace fires and building safety in Bangladesh. The proposed Fire and Building Safety Agreement, already accepted by two major brands, guarantees worker participation, recognizes the role of government and takes measures to combat corruption by requiring rigorous inspections, transparent reporting of audits and public oversight of results. This agreement offers an integrated and sustainable solution. Agreements like these are needed in many countries where major brands and retailers have chosen to produce their goods under a low-wage and no-rights model, but the many recent and needless deaths and injuries in Bangladesh make that country the most urgent priority right now. Companies that say they want to improve conditions in Bangladesh must join the brands that have signed this agreement, rather than seeking an alternative with less transparency and accountability.

We call on the U.S. government to immediately withdraw, suspend, or limit Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits for Bangladesh until it fulfills its most basic duties to workers. As the AFL-CIO has maintained since filing a GSP petition in 2007 (and in earlier years), suspending trade benefits is a crucial mechanism to pressure the Bangladeshi government to take clear and concrete actions to afford workers their internationally recognized worker rights. Clearly, the pace of progress has been inadequate to date.

Over 80 percent of garments produced in Bangladesh are exported to the United States and the European Union. This creates shared responsibility for finding a sustainable solution to the lax conditions and weak workplace protections. Major brands and retailers in the United States, Europe and elsewhere have made millions from high profit margins based on low wages and dangerous conditions. We call on the retailers not to leave Bangladesh, but to take an active role in improving conditions by pressuring the government to implement reforms and by negotiating with workers and local employers. People outside Bangladesh must insist that retailers, brands, investors, and our governments use their power to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity for workers in Bangladesh who produce our clothes.

Rep Shea-Porter Votes Against The ‘More Work, Less Pay’ Act HR 1406

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 8, 2013 - 9:47 pm | , , ,
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copy-labor-union-7.jpg

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tonight, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter stood up for working families in New Hampshire by voting against H.R. 1406, the “More Work, Less Pay” Act.

The bill would effectively end the 40-hour work week and offer workers comp time in lieu of overtime pay. But the legislation does not guarantee that workers will be able to use the time they have earned when they need it the most.  Instead, the comp time earned by workers would go into a pot that will be controlled by their employer. Under this legislation, employers can refuse to allow a worker to take time off to care for a family member or attend a parent-teacher conference.

“Giving up overtime pay is a big deal for workers, and in return they aren’t even guaranteed they’ll get to use their comp time when they really need it,” Shea-Porter said.  “This is not flexibility for workers. It’s less pay for workers. I urge Speaker Boehner to bring bills to the floor that actually help middle class families by creating jobs and ending sequestration.”

To improve this misguided legislation, Congresswoman Shea-Porter offered the final amendment that would not allow employers to deny workers use of earned compensation time to:

  • Attend a medical appointment
  • Care for a sick child or family member
  • For veterans, to attend counseling or rehabilitation appointments for injuries suffered in combat.

Unfortunately, the amendment was blocked by the Republican House Majority.

President Obama has pledged to veto the “More Work, Less Pay” Act, and more than 160 national and state organizations oppose it, including women’s organization, labor organizations, and civil rights organizations.

150 Workers Die Every Day From Injuries Or Occupational Diseases

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 8, 2013 - 9:16 am | , ,
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Asbestos Abatement Workers

Asbestos Abatement Workers

“Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect” details workplace fatalities
www.aflcio.org/death-on-the-job

 In 2011, 4,693 workers were killed on the job, according to a new AFL-CIO report, “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect.” That is an average of thirteen workers every day. In addition, another estimated 50,000 die every year from occupational diseases – an average of 137 a day, bringing the total worker fatalities to 150 a day.  North Dakota, Wyoming, Alaska and Arkansas had the highest workplace fatality rates, while New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Washington had the lowest. Latino workers, especially those born outside of the United States, continue to face rates of workplace fatalities fourteen percent higher than other workers, the same as last year.

In 2011, 3.8 million workers across all industries experienced work-related illnesses and injuries. The true toll is estimated to be two to three times greater, but lack of reporting in this area results in lower official figures.

The job fatality rate had been declining steadily for many years, but in the past three years the rate has essentially been unchanged, at 3.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers. Similarly, for the past two years, there has been no change in the reported workplace injury and illness rate (3.5 per 100 workers). If we are to make progress in reducing job injuries and deaths, we will need more concerted efforts and additional resources.

This year’s report comes on the heels of a horrific explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, which killed 15 people, injured hundreds more and caused widespread destruction, as well as the tragic collapse of a building that housed garment factories in Bangladesh, which led to the death of over six hundred workers.

The report also examines the role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 43 years after its creation. It finds that OSHA remains underfunded and understaffed, and that penalties are too low to deter violations. Because of the underfunding, federal OSHA inspectors can only inspect workplaces once every 131 years on average, and state OSHA inspectors would take 76 years to inspect all workplaces.

OSHA penalties are too low to be taken seriously, let alone provide deterrence. The average penalty is only $2,156 for a serious federal health and safety violation, and only $974 for a state violation. Even in cases involving worker fatalities, the median total penalty was a paltry $5,175 for federal OSHA and $4,200 for the OSHA state plans. By contrast, property damage valued between $300 and $10,000 in the state of Illinois is considered a Class 4 felony and can carry a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years and a fine of up to $25,000.

Criminal penalties under OSHA are also weak. While there were 320 criminal enforcement cases initiated under federal environmental laws and 231 defendants charged in FY 2012, only 84 cases related to worker deaths have been prosecuted since 1970.

In the face of an ongoing assault on regulations by business groups and Republicans in Congress, progress on many new important safety and health rules has stalled. The White House Office of Management and Budget has delayed needed protections, including OSHA’s draft proposed silica rule, which has been held up for more than two years.

“In 2013, it is unacceptable that so many hardworking men and women continue to die on the job,” said AFL-CIO President and third-generation coal miner Richard Trumka. “No one should have to sacrifice his or her life or health and safety in order to earn a decent living. Yet, elected leaders, business groups and employers have failed to provide adequate health and safety protections for working families. At the same time, too many politicians and business leaders are actively working to dismantle working people’s right to collectively bargain on the job and speak out against unsafe, unjust working conditions. This is a disgrace to all those who have died. America’s workers deserve better.”

“Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect” was released after hundreds of Workers Memorial Day vigils, rallies and action were held across the country to commemorate all those workers who died and were injured on the job.