Please join us on Tuesday, April 29th for Workers' Memorial Day!
Precedent-setting Bill Passes Senate
Campaign Updates---- Win for Jin!
Teens Get the Word Out to Boost New Leadership Institute
Join Us for Workers' Memorial Day
GoodSearch for MassCOSH! Each day we are working to make MassCOSH better, just check out our newest campaign! We’ve recently signed up with GoodSearch, a search engine that donates 50 percent of its revenue, about a penny per search, to charities and schools designated by its users. To take part, go to www.goodsearch.com, and enter MassCOSH as the charity you want to support. Just 500 people searching four times a day will raise about $7300 in a year, so spread the word! You can also visit our website here to learn more or click here to simply add the Goodsearch toolbar to your browser!
Use your web search to support MassCOSH! Click here to learn more or the link above to start!
Also, mark your calendar for this Thursday, March 6 at 6:00pm when we host our first Students and
Occupational Health Professionals' Networking Night. Click here to get more information about the event and how to sign up!
Precedent-setting Safer Alternatives Bill Passes Senate 
On January 29, the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation,
An Act for a Healthy Massachusetts: Safer
Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals, that will safeguard public
health by replacing toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. Spearheaded by the
Alliance for a
Healthy Tomorrow along with the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and
area labor councils, advocates won the Senate's action that takes the
bill one step closer to becoming law. "This legislation will put Massachusetts at the
forefront of responsible chemical policy while providing safeguards for workers
and residents of the Commonwealth from the very real and unseen dangers of
toxic chemicals," said Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton), lead Senate
sponsor of the bill.
The Safer Alternatives Bill will require evaluation of
designated "Priority Toxic Chemicals" which are used in
Massachusetts and are
linked to chronic illnesses, and then mandate safer alternatives to these
chemicals where feasible. The bill will provide for transition assistance to
businesses and workers. The next step is to mobilize support in the House of
Representatives. Let your state representative know that you think this Bill is
good for business and will improve the health of Massachusetts workers
and families. With your support we can pass the Safer Alternatives Bill by July
2008!
A Big Win for Workers from Jin Asian Cuisine
In mid-February a campaign to end safety and wage abuses that united Chinese and Latino Restaurant workers achieved a major victory. Responding to a class action lawsuit and public pressure, owners of Jin Asian Cuisine in Saugus agreed to pay $110,000 to more than 30 Chinese wait staff for stolen tips. The settlement came shortly after the owners agreed to a substantial settlement with the Latino workers for unpaid overtime.
The Latino workers, who worked in cleaning and construction, had reported wage violations and safety concerns to MassCOSH staff. Dozens of labor and community supporters picketed in freezing temperatures last winter in support of the workers. MassCOSH lawyers' committee member Hillary Schwab, of the law firm Pyle, Rome, Lichten, Ehrenberg & Liss-Riordan represented the workers in their lawsuit.
The Chinese
Progressive Association (CPA), a key community supporter, presented the workers
with an award on February 22 for their "unsung heroism". "This victory shows how the struggles of
different immigrant communities are connected," said Amee Chew of the CPA.
Teens Get the Word Out to Boost New Leadership Institute
From New Bedford to Somerville to Lowell, teens are spreading the word about LEAPS (Leadership Education and Action to Promote Safety) for Young Workers, the three day academy being organized by MassCOSH's Teens Lead @ Work Program. Not only have the youths' efforts helped to generate support and enthusiasm for the upcoming institute, but it has also given TL@W peer leaders and their program partners a strong youth voice in local media.
“It’s cool to know that more people are hearing about what
we do and that our hard work is really paying off,” said Roberto Pimentel, a
senior peer leader. 
In just two months, TL@W has given health and safety workshops to over 50 teens, including community programs such as the Roxbury Boys and Girls club and also attended other events like the Connecting for Change Summit (put on by the Department of Public Health). Peer leaders have also appeared on radio and television stations led by youth programs because of their tremendous outreach efforts. Channel 13 of Worcester and the Asian Community Development Corporation’s AVOYCE radio show have both featured TL@W on their respective shows. All of their hard work has culminated in more community interest and momentum for the LEAPS academy... and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon!
Join us for Workers' Memorial Day
While everyone is looking forward to spring and the warmer weather that comes with it, MassCOSH recognizes that another year has passed. And although we’ve made great strides toward ensuring that all jobs are safe and healthy, sadly we must remember and commemorate those who were injured and who lost their lives while performing their jobs.
Please join MassCOSH, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and the Greater Boston Labor Council to commemorate Workers Memorial Day on Tuesday, April 29 at the Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street in Boston. At 12:00 noon we will gather outside, on the stairs, for a special ceremony to honor Massachusetts workers who lost their lives in 2007 and the beginning of 2008. MassCOSH will also host a commemorative breakfast for families of fallen workers at 10:30 AM, in Room 511 of the State House.
A special report, Dying for Work in Massachusetts, will be released at the event highlighting that fact that workers continue to be killed and maimed on the job in record numbers. MassCOSH is collecting stories of workers who were injured or killed on the job to share in the report and at the event. If you would like to submit a short story about your loved one and the workplace incident that s/he was involved in, please contact Whitney at the address or number below.
Whether you are interested in joining us as a member, supporting workers on the front lines, donating money or your time... MassCOSH wants you to get involved! Only with your help can we build the power of workers to demand that employers uphold their responsibilities.
Check out our
new and improved, interactive website for ways to support MassCOSH as well as
loads of resources and information about the health and safety movement.
None of us can win this fight alone and your contribution helps us support
workers, their families and communities in achieving safe, healthy and fair
workplace conditions.
Your
financial support and personal involvement are critical to the success of
our struggle. Stand with us today and add your voice to the thousands across Massachusetts working
together for Health and Safety!
Contact us for other ways to get involved
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MassCOSH | 42 Charles St. Suite F | Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 825.SAFE (7233)