‘Stickler Recess Appointment Disregards Workers’ (mine) Safety’

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2006/10/20/%e2%80%98stickler-recess-appointment-disregards-workers%e2%80%99-safety%e2%80%99/


‘Stickler Recess Appointment Disregards Workers’ Safety’

by James Parks, Oct 20, 2006

We noted this morning that since President Bush couldn’t get his nomination of coal executive Richard Stickler to head the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) through Congress, he gave Stickler a recess appointment.

Mine Workers (UMWA) President Cecil Roberts said today the recess appointment “has demonstrated that the pleas of coal miners throughout the land for him to appoint a strong advocate for their safety to that position have fallen on deaf ears.”

It’s truly disappointing that President Bush passed up this opportunity to send a message to America’s coal miners that he cares about their health and well being by appointing someone who would put safety first. He has instead sent a very different message, and we’re going to make sure that coal miners throughout America understand what that message is: That the companies are in charge of mine safety in America, not the safety professionals.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney also said the recess appointment “demonstrates this administration’s total disregard for safety and health of this nation’s workers.”

Following a series of deadly coal mine disasters this year, including the Sago mine disaster that killed 12, family members of those killed had urged the president to change course and appoint a strong committed leader to the mine safety post….But just like on so many other matters, the president refused to listen and proceeded on a dangerous and unwise course of action.

Hopefully, the November elections will send a clear message to the President and his allies in Congress that the American people oppose their anti-worker policies, and the outcome changes the balance of power in Congress so worker’s concerns and interests will be a priority.

This year, 40 coal miners have been killed on the job, more than in any full year since 2001. The Senate sent Stickler’s nomination back to the White House twice because of his troubling mine safety record—the mines he managed from 1989 to 1996 incurred injury rates double the national average.

[mrdmk]

1. Money is more of a concern for Mr. Bush Jr. than Human Life!

:evilfrown:

Or any living being for that matter!