Andrew M. Ball, MS, PT
Posts: 500
Joined: October 8, 1999
From: Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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From our partners in the Section on Health Policy. Editorial comments added by Andrew M. Ball, MS, MBA, PT in [ ].
IMMEDIATE ACTON NEEDED TO SAVE THE ERGONOMICS STANDARD
After ten years in the making, OSHA issued their final federal ergonomics standard to prevent crippling back, wrist and other injuries caused by workplace ergonomic hazards. Ergonomic injuries are the leading workplace job hazard striking one million American workers each year. However industry groups, spearhead by the National Association of Manufacturers (infamous for opposing our nation's first child labor, minimum wage and 8 hour day laws) are now 'hell-bent' to kill the rule by using a never before used [actually it was used once before about 10 years ago] procedure under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA is the most extreme measure that could possibly be taken, amounting to a death sentence for these desperately needed worker protections. Not only would this rule be killed, but under the CRA, OSHA could NEVER issue another ergonomics regulation for the indefinite future.
THE US SENATE IS EXPECTED TO INTRODUCE THE RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL UNDER THE CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT THE WEEK OF MARCH 5TH. Once the resolution is introduced, it will move very quickly. It will be a very close vote and the Senate may be our best shot in defeating this effort. BUT EVERY VOTE COUNTS [The Senate ratified the action yesterday and our only hope now is to defeat it in the House of Republicans . . . I mean Represenatives.]
It is critically important that your Senators and Representative hear from you and from as many people as possible as soon as possible. [Focus on Reps now, the Senate is a lost cause].
BY TELEPHONE: To help you quickly reach your two Senators, the AFL-CIO has set up a special direct toll-free line by calling 1-800/393-1082. You don't even need to know your Senators' names! Dialing your zip code will automatically connect you to their offices. You can reach your Representative through the main Capitol switchboard toll-free at 877-611-0063.
Again, you don't need to know your Representatives name, just give the operator your zip code.
BY E-MAIL: SEIU has already prepared a letter (that you can also customize if you wish) for you to send to your Senators and Representative. Just click to SEIU's website at [URL=http://www.seiu.org/]www.seiu.org/[/URL] . If you are not with an SEIU Local, please type "NA" in the field requesting you to list your local's number.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WE CAN WIN THIS FIGHT FOR OUR MEMBERS. PLEASE CALL AND SEND A LETTER TODAY. IT ONLY WILL TAKE A FEW MINUTES.
APTA Gov. Affairs staff is working on this also. Please help. THIS is APTA dues at work folks, without the APTA, RehabEdge members would have been notified far too late for action. Even now, we are at dire straights.
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