Workshop reports: women workers, workers' compensation, and school hazards, 1992

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NATURE SHEET OD Sectarian

EX Non-Sectarian

WOMEN'S TRADE

Sevel women att ending +}
, 3 Cre Women' T+ iors,
Conference in May chose the health nda ; ade Unior Badar a
} sre Y 4 ana safet A 7
MCLC. They were from five area unions ape a p led by
ive sec , ns ~presenting ‘ 4
private sector workers. Acting

workshop, along with the TCLC Healt]
of UAW 1326 who is Chair of their

co-leader ee ‘
ader +} wo haut

i/Safety Traine
Health/Safety Committe

eer Seer Weas Organized, as_ follows:

ion: name, unior

, knowledge/concerr

previous ex

No More Victims video - firs
LF introduces focus que

Discussion of video -large group - lis
(LF); RW make sure all brought up (see a
list)

Rest of video, then break into groups and discuss
What would you do if you were as angry as Lisa
How could you involve your co-workers?

Reports from groups - focus discussion on
formalizing H/S in union structure and contract

language

Summing up to include limits of OSHA and push for
support of OSHA Reform

A very extensive packet of materials was” given
workshop participant. The materials were also distributed
other of the 60+ Conference participants.

Evaluations were very favorable about the use of the vided to
-imulate the lively discussions. Also noted Maa She ae

t i i i tion criticized eli e

ld the materials distributed. One evalua m .

empbania on safety (as compared to health), but noted that we Had

| covered a lot in a short time.

wha

help

and

for workshop

fure: - be reregistration ops
For future: try he areenee vig narrow areas

this type and do preconference survey fo try to

cover, Since time is so short.

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T ARMR =
Canaria

i teataaed people,
onized workpiaces and one Co
4 pensation Workshop held on Renae be attended ees 8 non-
public sector and 7 private beet - Union members Workers
Vyepresenting workers in a vt

Came from 10
dual with

se one i

workers came from one public ctor workplace bets

sector - Non-unionized
workplaces. and “S ' private “sécter

ony Gaenslen, a local atto ed t &
TX rney, 1 w

' ' M 11 he t ie) hour workshop.
A SF as go Opening AEA S EAS: was followed by more than an hour

Each participant received a i
quc ae ae packet of material including the

IWONY, RESPECT, CNYO

Workers" Compensation Board; an Attorney cdiceayratucagaes ps
Occupational Disease; and a statement on the Workers’ Compensation
system from the Labor Coalition.

Evaluations were extremely positive about the packet of
materials and the examples and particular cases Tony cited in
dealing with specific questions. A number of participants, though,
cited the lack of structure and organization of the lecture portion
as problematic (as well as the stuffy, hot room!).

Suggestions for follow-up included formation of a ‘watch-dog'
group to monitor state-wide issues on workers’ comp; additional
in-depth training in order to assist co-workers; holding a mock
hearing; more workshops, to cover: an occupational physician s
kers' comp system, toxics, OSHA, disability
wsletter updating workers on legal or award
h on-going comp cases.

experience with the wor
and death benefits; a ne
changes and problems wit

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‘rty teachers
- * Support sg
0 attended. Participant
prorit organizations. s

and Pp
arents

fro Ss from 18
Med anions cand Mba

mcLC Health/Safet few

Y Trad
jist of health/safety rainers

helpe

Problems, whichrod Participants

* students’ health symptoms Beg included ERT apt be a

eye, nose or throat irritation heliee tt difficult breathing,
' Oe, Olesiness or festa nt?’

while in the schools. Gre iwi
cnyoHcc (Central New York ipataener: aire Hygienist “fron
eN1ist

xplained the caus ealth Clinic _ from
end ways to Shubbtipare roeac of poor badaee wee hed ody, then

; eee ue quality (1AQ)
worked to devise stra correct it. Following this y (IAQ),

, Sveryone

tegies
for IAQ problem in a

hypothetical school. resolving an

Discussion followed wi
ith the lead tak b f
prune Beco! in Ithaca who have culent i auc aeaed
AR ~ Paar to begin to 'clear the air.' Complaints at Boynton
: Although complaints were filed and the school

district did take a few air a t i t
: ew years
: ests during the nex 34 ,

from Boynton
n getting the

This spring the Boynton Environmental Team (BET) circulated
and tabulated a health questionnaire to which 75% of the staff

responded. Over half are suffering from headaches, sinus
congestion, lack of air circulation and/or eye irritation and
"experience relief upon leaving school’. Close to 75% are so

bothered that they either take medication before coming to or while
at work.

BET and the ITA (Ithaca Teachers Association) then called on
the Superintendent to hire an Industrial Hygienist to evaluate re
school environment and make recommendations. Management Sc Tae
i llowing BET to determine who will be hired. It is also,
eee beginning to work on the Boynton ventilation system,

replacing the fiberglass ducts.

ici i i luations, were extremely
articipants, in their eva ’
i SORE aut Greg's presentation, the exercises and exqnangs
aise S80 and the packet of materials. The cultural segmen
oO 1n !

received mixed evaluations.
Suggestions for follow-up activities included:

4 1
1. Produce 4 quarterly health and safety newsletter for schoo

personnel and parents. |
We rl rey algal

Write articles on health and safety topics that could 9g

22 TA

union oF PTA newsletters.

wide Schools Health and Safety Committee.

3 Mormag district

Srant

of this

TURE

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fre information on the health and safety language in our
Bus contracts.

Hold another 3-hour workshop, or perhaps and all-day conference.