Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, jkamm@usw.org, 412-562-2444
(Niagara Falls, N.Y.) – United Steelworkers (USW) District 4 Director David Wasiura issued the following statement today, calling on Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company to address serious concerns about ortho-toluidine exposure stemming from its Niagara Falls chemical facility:
“Our union has worked for decades to push Goodyear to enact common-sense health and safety protections against occupational exposure to ortho-toluidine, a known carcinogen.
“Thanks to the relentless efforts of countless USW members, we’ve been able to institute a full-time health and safety representative and other major improvements to in-plant health and safety protocols.
“Now, it’s past time for Goodyear to look beyond the walls of this facility and address the risks associated with possible ortho-toluidine exposure on the wider community.
“Up until this point, Goodyear has been willing to hide behind outdated federal regulations, but this is simply not good enough. Goodyear must reduce exposure to the lowest possible level – inside and outside the plant.
“Our members are proud to live and work in the greater Niagara area, and we will continue to fight to keep every stakeholder safe and healthy.”
USW District 4 represents workers in a wide array of occupations in New York and eight other New England states, including approximately 40 workers at Goodyear’s Niagara Falls chemical facility.
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