I don't know where it started, but it has become quite clear that the Bush administration has done nothing to protect the US consumer and worker. Nothing, zilch, nada. If this is "compassionate conservatism", well, it's not so let's lose that label.
Saying companies that ignore workplace hazards face little more than a "slap on the wrist," lawmakers on Tuesday called for stiffer penalties and stronger enforcement against chronic violators.
"Poultry workers' health and safety is threatened every day in a variety of ways," Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., said in written comments for a Senate subcommittee hearing focused on workplace safety.
"Their hands are crippled by hours on an assembly line that moves too fast. They are forced to work when they are sick or seriously hurt. Yet OSHA sits on the sidelines, ignoring such problems."
Crippled hands from working? Look -- I know that physical labor is hard. But that's why we have standards in place -- to make sure the physical impact is minimized. Of course, when OSHA isn't doing a damn thing about enforcing regulations there might be a problem.
The Observer reported that House of Raeford, a leading poultry company based in North Carolina, has masked the extent of injuries inside its plants. Employees said the company has ignored, intimidated or fired workers who were hurt on the job.
The company, like many in the poultry industry, has come to rely heavily on Latino workers who often fear that complaining about job conditions may get them fired or deported.
One workplace safety expert representing a federation of unions told senators that House of Raeford represents what he sees as a growing pattern: large corporations ignoring their obligations to ensure workers aren't harmed by their jobs.
And why should they look after safety issues? No one is enforcing the laws -- so who cares. Plus, they're just workers. We can always find more, right?
House of Raeford has said it follows the law and strives to protect workers. Company officials didn't testify at the hearing and couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday. Other poultry companies say they, too, have worked to improve safety.
i love it when people don't show up to defend themselves or answer questions from a reporter. That gives me complete confidence they are doing everything they can. After all, if they're following the law they have nothing to hide, right?
"The facts demonstrate we have a good record, that worker safety is a very important value in the industry, that we are concerned for our associates and employees," said Richard Lobb, a spokesman for the National Chicken Council.
The Observer found that weak enforcement, minimal fines and dwindling inspections have allowed companies to operate largely unchecked.
Those silly facts are getting in the way of faith-based statements again. If only reporters would stop verifying statements from industry then those industry officials could continue to lie with impunity.
The evidence is incredibly clear: business has gotten away with, well murder in some cases.