Workers’ Rights

For a long time, people thought of asbestos as a miracle fiber. It was tough and naturally heat resistant. Manufacturers used it as insulation and even as a fire retardant. It was in ceiling tiles, floor tiles, siding, and everywhere. Then in the 1970s, the material’s bad side began to emerge to the public. Companies [...]

On February 20, 54-year-old John Neves, an Oregon state employee, filed a lawsuit in state court alleging that he had been unknowingly exposed to asbestos for 18 months in the workplace when he remodeled residential buildings at a historic youth detention center. He also says that his supervisor knew of the contamination and let the [...]

What kind of plans do you have for your Labor Day weekend? Labor Day is a national holiday that celebrates workers and their social and economic achievements. The U.S. Department of Labor states that Labor Day is “a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” It was first recognized as a holiday after legislation was introduced in 1885-6. The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. The holiday is now over one hundred years old. Many people forget about the workplace hazards that workers have experienced throughout history. […]

Unfortunately, workers today are still being exposed to asbestos while on the job. Recently, a contractor and subcontractor in Chicago, IL exposed workers to the substance during the removal of a commercial roof. The employers were cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for several violations, including: failing to conduct an exposure assessment [...]