Workplace
Workers exposed to dangerous levels of chemical at candy plant
When officials from Sensient Flavors explain their work, they sometimes compare it to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. But working at the food and beverage flavor manufacturer on Indianapolis’ Southwestside is no child fantasy. Some workers were exposed to more than 400 times the generally recognized safe level for a chemical associated with a life-threatening lung condition, according…
Read MoreCO teachers union receives millions in subsidies
“Taxpayers in Colorado’s largest school districts have spent more than $5.8 million during the past five years to subsidize the activities of local teachers unions. The expenses resulted from years of agreements that require tax money to pay for everything from full-time union leaders’ salaries and benefits to providing leave for some teachers to attend…
Read MoreSick-time pay in MN raises concerns
“MaryJo Webster of The Pioneer Press reported that the state of Minnesota paid about $57 million in unused sick time from January 2008 to June 2012 to departing workers. Now, Minnesota legislators from both sides of the aisle are calling for inquiries into the payments, with one senator saying, “we need to take an aggressive…
Read MoreDisaster looms as fire department is stretched too thin
“Nowhere are the challenges facing the Alexandria Fire Department more stark than at Station 206, the Seminary Road facility built in 1958. Standing on the front ramp looking west, Fire Chief Adam Thiel can see the massive Washington Headquarters Service — the new Department of Defense building where more than 6,000 people will work early…
Read MorePart three in five part series: KUOW News in Seattle investigates violence in the ER
In today’s story on dangers in the workplace, John Ryan covers hospitals and emergency rooms. “Most of us face little risk of being assaulted while we’re on the job. But if you’re a cop, a convenience store clerk or a cab driver, your line of work can quickly turn violent. The same is true for…
Read MoreKUOW News-Seattle investigates workplace safety in 5 part series
John Ryan takes a closer look at some of the more dangerous jobs in the country with an eye for safety laws and regulations. http://www.kuow.org/specials/danger-at-work.php Today, KUOW highlights a day in the life of a lineworker, one of the most dangerous jobs, right up there with commercial fishing. Ryan talks with workers who ‘free-climb’, or…
Read MoreRetirement means big payouts for some in Erie County
In this series by the Buffalo News, reporter Aaron Besecker revealed that the “highest paid local government employee in Erie County last year” was Kenneth K. Hycner, a police lieutenant who did nothing out of the ordinary except retire. This investigation reveals that several local governments in Erie County often give police officers hefty “parting…
Read MoreAdults with disabilities paid extremely low wages
In this series that was “inspired by a session at the IRE conference in 2010,” The Columbus Dispatch reporters Rita Price, Jill Riepenhoff and Jennifer Smith-Richards reveal that thousands of adults with intellectual disabilities working across Ohio are receiving wages that “pay less money than a teen-age baby sitter earns.” A provision in the federal…
Read MoreNashville court clerk keeps questionable work schedule
In part one of this series of stories by WSMV-TV, reporter Jeremy Finley and the Channel 4 I-Team found that one of the highest paid elected officials in Nashville, Tenn., only works about half of the week and uses a county car to run personal errands. The team’s hidden camera caught David Torrence, the Davidson…
Read MoreFormer SEDC officials accused of embezzlement
Two San Diego redevelopment officials were arrested and accused of “embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds.” The voiceofsandiego.org investigation that began in 2008 culminated this week when the Southeastern Economic Development Corp.’s former president and former finance director were accused of “five criminal felony counts” each. Voiceofsandiego.org reported that the SEDC started paying “hundreds of…
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