Eye Safety a Priority for Wisconsin Local

It's hot, dusty, sweaty work. IUE-CWA Local 84800 members in Sheboygan, Wis., fill compression molds with wood flour and, at temperatures of 370 degrees to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, mold it into toilet seats for Bemis Mfg.

In 2003, particles getting into workers eyes caused numerous injuries, prompting the company safety director to order them to wear safety goggles that caused even more problems.

Said Doris Tayloe, local recording secretary, "The goggles fog up, get sweat in them. It's pretty gross. And, fogged vision can lead to other injuries. Needless to say, people were not happy and thought, what are we going to do."

Local President Randy Tayloe told the safety director that the union contract not only required the company to "make reasonable provisions" and provide protective devices, but also that, "The union, the employees and Bemis will work together to make Bemis a safe and healthful place of work."

He also wrote the human resources manager that the mandatory order from the safety director — without union input — was a violation of the agreement.

Meanwhile, within 24 hours, Doris Tayloe collected 129 signatures from about 140 affected workers on a petition also pointing out the contract violation and stating that the goggles were too drastic a solution; that different kinds of glasses and sideshields should be tried first.

In response, plant owner Peter Bemis appointed a committee consisting of three managers and three union representatives. The team investigated eye injuries, conducted surveys of eye wear needs and invited input from eye care professionals.

As a result, Bemis now pays for a pair of non-prescription safety glasses every six months or prescription safety glasses with side shields every two years.

Said Doris Tayloe, "As a result of this team effort to improve safety, eye injuries are on a downward trend and the workers are happy being able to wear efficient yet comfortable safety glasses."