MetaFilter posts tagged with workersrights

The Ubiquitous Banana

burnfirewalls — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:12:21 -0800

"Miller produced a memo written in 1978 by Jack DeMent, a senior Dole [Food Company] executive, that reflected a proposed policy that 'people in the areas to be treated will be notified to the effect in the language of the workers involved.' Miller said a comment found on the draft undercut the good intentions. The comment read: 'This is not operationally feasible and does not need to be implemented.'" Dole Food Company was one of many companies that used DBCP on agricultural plantations. Nicaraguan workers have claimed that they were exposed to toxic levels of the nematocide without notification or protection. Despite the EPA banning most agricultural use of DBCP in the United States, at least one fruit company demanded that Dow Chemical continue to supply them with the chemical for use in other countries, even threatening legal action. A recent documentary, Bananas!*, covers the conflict between Dole Food Company and workers on banana plantations in Nicaragua. Dole responded by suing the filmmakers for defamation, later withdrawing their claim. The documentary website includes a timeline of events. Further reading: "In the first U.S. trial, a jury in Los Angeles awarded $5.8 million in damages to six Nicaraguan workers...Last year, Chaney reduced the damages by more than half; the case is on appeal." In April 2009, Chaney dismissed two tort cases against Dole and Dow Chemical on grounds of fraud October 21st, 2009 US District Judge Paul Huck declares rulings made by Nicaraguan courts invalid.

Big Brother Nixes Happy Hour

jackspace — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 15:34:55 -0800

Big Brother Nixes Happy Hour National Labor Relations Board Green Lights Ban on Off-Duty Fraternizing Among Co-Workers It is a regular pastime for co-workers to chat during a coffee break, at a union hall, or over a beer about workplace issues, good grilling recipes, and celebrity gossip. Yet a recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) allows employers to ban off-duty fraternizing among co-workers, severely weakening the rights of free association and speech, and violating basic standards of privacy for America's workers.

The Triangle Factory Fire of 1911

plep — Thu, 22 Jul 2004 09:45:26 -0800

The Triangle Factory Fire of 1911. 'This site includes selected information on a terrible and unnecessary tragedy involving the death of many young working women in a New York City sweatshop at the beginning of the 20th century and the resulting investigations and reforms. '

Work Less Party

PrinceValium — Mon, 29 Mar 2004 19:45:19 -0800

The Work Less Party of Vancouver seeks to regain a little sanity for the North American employee. A 32-hour work week is not a very realistic fantasy for the information age. But at least someone is standing up for the right to go home earlier.

Redefining the American Dream

reality — Fri, 04 Jul 2003 07:44:32 -0800

Sweatshop-free T-shirts "We are not about "made in USA". We are about American values. We believe in the American dream and want to do more for our customers and employees. We are pro-workers rights— whether in Los Angeles or anywhere in the world. We manufacture in the United States not because we are crazy flag fanatics but because it is the most vibrant T-shirt market in the world and therefore the most efficient place to manufacture our T-shirts." In the middle of one of the worst economic climates in decades, with (actual) unemployment near 9 percent, an American company with the courage to compete against the Global Sweatshop economy. Is Politically-driven consumer markets the future? Or do you really need that Nike logo? Could "Sweatshop-free IT Services" be far behind?

HoldenCaulfield — Sun, 21 Oct 2001 13:07:22 -0800

"Boss, I'm on sick leave right now, my thighs really hurt, the government is paying me unemployment insurance." Germany inacts law that sees prostitution as any other form of work, whereby she can take you to court if you don't pay.

murray_kester — Mon, 04 Sep 2000 20:18:24 -0800

Just DON'T do it. In findings that Nike admitted were "concerning", the Community Aid Abroad-Oxfam Australia report revealed that, not only were female workers only paid $2 per day, despite legal entitlement to menstrual leave each month, they were forced to pull down their pants in front of the factory doctor to claim that leave.