BEING PREPARED — Richard Denenberg, co-director of Workplace Solutions, explains why employees and managers should plan to deal with angry co-workers at a May workshop held at the health and safety conference in Albany.
— Photo by Richard Dillard
Speakers motivate members to take action
Conference spotlights health & safety issues
By DEBORAH A. MILES
At a time when the health and safety of workers remains a prominent issue, PEF leaders teamed-up with the state to present a comprehensive conference to promote healthier working conditions. The three-day May event held in Albany dealt with a myriad of topics and provided participants with workshops and useful information.
More than 350 people representing state agencies throughout New York attended workshops ranging from emerging infections to workplace conflict. The conference also featured inspirational keynote addresses from Dr. Linda Rae Murray and David Von
Drehle.
Conference Program — Produced by PEF’s PR department.
Von Drehle, author of “Triangle: The Fire That Changed
America”. transported the participants back in time with his description of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. The tragedy took the lives of 146 people, and dramatically influenced health and safety measures and social movements during that era.
Murray’s exhilarating presentation focused on the importance of being organized in the workplace and political arena.
“We need organization because that results in good legislation. This forms the foundation of our rights,” she said.
Money well spent
Murray addressed highway workers saying measures are needed to protect them from motor vehicles, exposure to lightening and West Nile virus. And she warned office workers that ergonomic issues are significant and can result in lifelong pain and disability.
“We should be testing for the newest and best ergonomic solutions,” she said. “These solutions will find their way into our schools and homes.
“If people understand where their money goes, what it accomplishes and have faith in how it is being managed, they will gladly pay,” she said. “That is why some lawmakers embrace the despair and apathy among voters. And that is why we in labor must work even when there is not an elections season to communicate with and organize our people.”
HONORED — PEF President Roger Benson’s leadership is recognized by the NYS Comm. on Occupational Safety and Health and congratulated by CWA President Bill Henning and NYCOSH Director Joel
Shufro. — Photo by Richard Dillard
Members motivated
Murray hammered home the importance of protecting Social Security. She referred to it as a health and safety issue, pointing out that people who are unable to work could die from poverty. Her recommendation was small increases in taxes to keep the program functional.
And she struck a chord when she spoke about the nursing shortage, citing low salaries, difficult schedules, mandatory overtime and increasing duty demands as factors eroding that profession.
“Dr. Murray took serious topics and presented them in a fascinating and informative way. She gave us tools and motivated us,” said Jackie Wooden, PEF Division 398 council leader and a resource and reimbursement agent at the Van Dyke Treatment Center in the Finger Lakes area.
Wooden said the conference provided a launching pad for a staff presentation in June at the center and provided valuable information on how to partner with other committees to obtain the best benefits for members.
“This conference brought together a network of activists and leaders to learn from experts and each other,” said PEF Director of Health and Safety Jonathan Rosen. “It provided concentrated training, generated new ideas and initiatives, and re-energized our health and safety leaders.”
The
Communicator July/August 05
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