News

The 2009 CWA National Occupational Safety and Health Conference brought together some 165 safety and health activists from all Union sectors.

WASHINGTON? On October 21st, the House Energy and Commerce Committee chaired by Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Subcommittee Chair Edward Markey (D-MA) approved comprehensive chemical plant security legislation (H.R. 2868 & H.R. 3258) in a 29-18 vote. The Committee rejected all 15 Republican amendments designed to cripple or delay both bills. The legislation is expected to go to the House floor later this fall. This is the first time this legislation has been approved by the two authorizing committees. On June 23rd the Homeland Security Committee also approved a weaker version of H.R. 2868.

CWA District 6 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call - Conducted Thursday, September 3, 2009 from 8:30- 10:30 a.m. (CST)

The Family and Medical Leave Act was legislated to allow workers to take unpaid leave or to substitute appropriate earned paid leave for up to 12 work weeks in any 12 month period to care for a child, family member with a serious health condition, or the employee's own health condition. As determined by the Fair Labor Standards Act, coverage is based upon working 1,250 hours in a year. However, due to this requirement, this formula does not provide FMLA protection/coverage for flight attendants (because time spent between airline trips (as compared with "flight time") does not count towards their time at work).

The CWA Health and Safety Department wants to put YOU on its website in a "YouTube" style video showcasing a CWA Health & Safety issue. We will have a contest to pick the best video that will be posted to the CWA Health and Safety Website and be listed in the CWA News!