Each year, the commemoration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a reminder of the remarkable contribution he made to all of us through his courageous defense of civil rights, human dignity …
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More than four decades ago, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), promising workers the right to a safe job, free from hazards such as exposure to toxic chemicals, mechanical dangers or unsanitary conditions. And while AFSCME and our allies have fought hard to make sure that promise is kept to American workers, the truth as we honor Workers Memorial Day Saturday is that millions of public employees across the country work in jobs that don’t provide such protections.
In all, 25 states do not have an approved OSHA state plan to provide coverage for public employees: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Public employees provide the vital services that keep our country and our communities running, performing difficult work under stressful conditions. Too often, they pay too high a price for their service. Public employees suffer approximately 66 percent more injuries than their counterparts in the private sector, a figure that would certainly be lower if public employees in every state were covered by OSHA protections.
On April 16, AFSCME Local 759 member Ken Stiver died after succumbing to injuries he sustained in a March 1 explosion at the Struthers Wastewater Treatment Plant, having been in the burn unit at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Mercy hospital since the incident. Ohio is one of the 25 states not offering OSHA protections to public employees.
In 2010, the fatality rate for American workers rose for the first time in five years, to 3.6 deaths per 100,000 workers. Clearly, not enough is done to protect workers’ health and safety on the job.
President Obama has strengthened workplace protections with tougher enforcement on serious violations and has proposed new safeguards for workplace hazards. But some in Congress are trying to move in the other direction by attacking these stronger measures and using budget gimmicks to block an injury and illness prevention program, falsely claiming they kill jobs. The truth is the absence of adequate protections kills workers.
March 20, 2012 – Yesterday, Union members joined in Solidarity to fight back against legislation proposed by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz to avoid negotiations. In a 4-3 vote the legislation was opposed after AFSCME union …
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2012 @ 12-8PM LAWYERS MALL COLLEGE AVENUE ROWE BOULEVARD ANNAPOLIS, MD
STOP JOBS CUTS!
PROTECT YOUR PENSION & RETIREMENT BENEFITS
RAISE REVENUE
We urge you and your family members to come to Annapolis and meet with the senators …
From Mary Pat Clarke, 14th District Baltimore City Council
Dear Leaders and Friends of the 14th District,
I need your help in getting out the word about the State of Maryland’s HOMEOWNERS’ Property Tax Credit for our homeownership neighbors whose …
In this issue:
Negotiations on Continuation of Unemployment Benefits Continue Slowly
Congress Begins Work on 2013 Budget
House Committee Approves Surface Transportation Bill
House Votes To Extend Pay Freeze for Federal Workers
Proposed Rule to Give Home Care Workers Respect …
By: Clyde Weiss January 25, 2012
Tuesday night, addressing the nation in his State of the Union speech, President Obama called on the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share of taxes.
Proof that they often don’t …
Statement of AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee after Pres. Obama’s State of the Union address
Washington, DC —
“President Obama has a plan to move our country forward, create jobs and find real solutions. The choices Congress makes …
This year’s International Convention is in Los Angeles, CA.
AFSCME 40th International Convention
Date: Mon., Jun. 18 – Fri., Jun. 22, 2012
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, CA
Event Type: Convention
Please share this information about this valuable and free event with your members. It makes learning about money fun!
Saturday March 10, 2012 • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at Baltimore City College HS 3220 The Alameda …
Washington, DC — The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO (AFSCME) Employees Pension Plan (“the AFSCME Plan”), today announced that it has filed 21 shareholder proposals designed to protect and enhance the …
Take your family to see one of the greatest nights in sports entertainment as the world famous Harlem Globetrotters make their annual stop in Baltimore!
Download the flyer for more information.
“Testing Reveals, Waiting Conceals”
Thursday, December 1, 2011 | 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Prince George’s Community College
Largo Student Center Community Rooms A, B and C
301 Largo Road, Largo MD 20774
HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing,
Light …
Memorial to Freedom Fighter slated to open in 2013, 100 years after her death
In August 2011 Governor Martin O’Malley announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the State of Maryland $8.5 million in …
The City’s 2012 Open Enrollment is scheduled for October 17, 2011 through October 28, 2011. During that time employees will be able to log on to the City’s benefits website at www.baltimorecity.essbenefits.com to make changes to coverage and to sign up for new plans. This year the City will hold three days of Benefit Health Fairs on October 19, October 26 and October 27, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Building. All of the City’s vendors will be present at the Benefits Fairs to provide valuable information and wellness services. Free flu shots will be available. The staff from the Employee Benefits Division (EBD) will be at the Benefits Fairs to answer questions and assist any employee or retiree who needs help logging onto the online benefits enrollment system.
