In 1995, with George Pataki installed as the first Republican governor in a generation and Republ... more In 1995, with George Pataki installed as the first Republican governor in a generation and Republicans continuing to control the state senate, New Yorkbusiness leaders mobilized to win long-sought changes in the workers' compensation system. Arguing that unreasonable workers' compensation premiums were driving employers out of business or out of state, business leaders claimed that their cost-cutting reforms would serve the interests of workers as well as employers by protecting jobs and promoting economic development. In fact, however, the proposed reforms would have weakened protections for injured workers and shifted much of the cost of workplace injuries and illnesses from employers to workers and taxpayers. Given the enhanced power of the business lobby in the Republican-dominated state government, it was clear that New York would go the way of other recently "reformed" states unless a labor-based coalition formed to protect workers' compensation. To succe...
NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy, 2013
An interview with Joel Shufro, Executive Director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safe... more An interview with Joel Shufro, Executive Director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health [NYCOSH], conducted shortly before he steps down after 34 years of service. Shufro discusses the recent history of the U.S. worker health and safety movement, including successes and failures of NYCOSH's efforts. He addresses some of the new issues COSH groups are facing as a result of declines in labor union density and the lack of effective government protection for large populations of workers, as well as assessing strategies that NYCOSH and other groups have adopted to strengthen and revive the U.S. health and safety movement.
In 1995, with George Pataki installed as the first Republican governor in a generation and Republ... more In 1995, with George Pataki installed as the first Republican governor in a generation and Republicans continuing to control the state senate, New Yorkbusiness leaders mobilized to win long-sought changes in the workers' compensation system. Arguing that unreasonable workers' compensation premiums were driving employers out of business or out of state, business leaders claimed that their cost-cutting reforms would serve the interests of workers as well as employers by protecting jobs and promoting economic development. In fact, however, the proposed reforms would have weakened protections for injured workers and shifted much of the cost of workplace injuries and illnesses from employers to workers and taxpayers. Given the enhanced power of the business lobby in the Republican-dominated state government, it was clear that New York would go the way of other recently "reformed" states unless a labor-based coalition formed to protect workers' compensation. To succe...
NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy, 2013
An interview with Joel Shufro, Executive Director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safe... more An interview with Joel Shufro, Executive Director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health [NYCOSH], conducted shortly before he steps down after 34 years of service. Shufro discusses the recent history of the U.S. worker health and safety movement, including successes and failures of NYCOSH's efforts. He addresses some of the new issues COSH groups are facing as a result of declines in labor union density and the lack of effective government protection for large populations of workers, as well as assessing strategies that NYCOSH and other groups have adopted to strengthen and revive the U.S. health and safety movement.
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