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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2008)
LaborDay-08 (15-28):NWLP 8/12/08 8:41 AM Page 16 PA I N T I N G • W A L L C O V E R I N G “ 1 s t a t th e Fi ni s h” ‘A Labor Day salute to our hard-working men and women’ 2480 N.W. Vaughn • Portland, OR 97210 (503) 224-5744 • FAX (503) 224-5632 Oregon License #51952 • 1-800-556-6316 Wash. Lic. #600-613-514 Since 1986 Special Recognition to Workers Everywhere Happy Labor Day! OREGON STATE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL BOB SHIPRACK 20210 S.W. Teton Tualatin, OR 97062 503-691-0632 Bush Administration seeking to weaken workplace toxin rules WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Bush Administration is trying to push through a measure that would severely weaken the regulation of workplace ex- posures to dangerous chemicals. The rule change calls for “re-exam- ining how to determine risks posed by workplace toxic exposure.” The Washington Post reported that Labor Secretary Elaine Chao’s intention to push for the rule first surfaced on July 7, when the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) posted on its Web site that it was re- viewing the proposal, identified only by its nine-word title. David Michaels, a workplace safety professor at George Washington Uni- versity’s School of Public Health, said, “This is a guarantee to keep any more worker safety regulation from ever coming out ... This is being done in se- crecy, to be sprung before President Bush leaves office, to cripple the next Administration.” Among other changes, the proposed rule reportedly would create additional public notice and review by Labor De- partment political appointees before the Occupational Safety and Health Ad- ministration does any risk assessments that lead to limits on exposure to chem- icals or toxins in the workplace. The current assumption that workers serve for 45 years, and thus would be exposed to compounds such as asbestos or lead for 45 years, is also being revis- ited, the Post reported. Some industry groups consider the current policy for establishing exposure limits overly stringent and have sought changes. The fast-track approach has brought criticism from workplace-safety advo- cates, unions and Democrats in Con- gress. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chair- man of the House Education and Labor Committee, said: “The fact that the De- partment of Labor seems to be engaged in secret rulemaking makes me highly suspicious that some high-level politi- cal appointees are up to no good. This Congress will not stand for the gutting of health and safety protections as the Bush Administration heads out the door.” Independently Owned. Experienced Professionals. Rick H. Hansen, Principal James M. Ridgeway, Principal Steve H. Hanks, Director Institutional Accounts and Mutual Funds t Equity t Balanced t Fixed Income Rainier Investment Management, Inc. ® 601 Union Street, Suite 2801 Seattle, WA 98101 TF: 800.536.4640 www.rainierfunds.com Seattle/New York The Pacific Northwest Iron Workers District Council and Affiliated Local Unions The Hard-Working Dedicated Municipal Employees IronWorkers Local 14, Spokane,WA. IronWorkers Local 29, Portland, OR. IronWorkers Local 86, Seattle,WA. IronWorkers Local 751, Anchorage, AK. IronWorkers Local 506, Seattle,WA. Laborers Local 483 IronWorkers Local 516, Portland, OR. Salute our Union Brothers and Sisters Richard Beetle Business Manager Scott Gibson Vice President Bruce Easley President Ron McKinney Secretary-Treasurer Jeb Barsh Mark Lewis Recording Secretary Sgt.-at-Arms Donna Bandeen Shawn Janis Mike Murphy PAC Treasurer Executive Board Executive Board PAGE 16 We Honor All the Working Men and Women on Labor Day. We wish the working families of Oregon and Washington a very special Labor Day . NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS AUGUST 15, 2008
