The Common Ills: Episode 199: We Have A Price For A Worker’s Life: A Few Thousand Bucks; COVID-19 Dangers For Building Workers

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Episode 199: We Have A Price For A Worker’s Life: A Few Thousand Bucks; COVID-19 Dangers For Building Workers

What’s a worker’s life worth? To you and me, it’s priceless. Capitalism, though, doesn’t see it that way—a worker’s life is a cost of doing business, a life easily disposable when it comes to making profits. And the corporate world has an accomplice in this immoral scam where workers are disposable: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Smithfield Foods, a massive pork processor making billions of dollars every year, did almost nothing to stop workers from getting the virus at its Sioux Falls, South Dakota plant. In just under three months, more than 1,300 were infected, 43 ended up in the hospital and four workers died. OSHA’s response? A fine of $13,494 as part of a single violation OSHA cited the company for—that’s $3,373.50 for each worker killed or a little over $10 bucks for those infected. Jessica Martinez, executive director of National COSH, joins me to talk about this immoral slap on the wrist that is a “green light” to every company to act cavalierly when it comes to workers’ lives.

Over the past six months, I’ve brought you the stories of frontline workers and the dangers they face in the pandemic. You’ve heard the stories of poultry workers, teachers, retail workers, subway conductors, and health care workers. Today, I speak with Hipolito Andon, a cleaner and maintenance worker in New York City, who tells us about the risks he faces on the job at one of the premier real estate sites in Manhattan, Rockefeller Plaza.

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In today's Working Life Podcast:

Ep 199: We Have A Price For A Worker’s Life: A Few Thousand $; COVID-19 Dangers For Building Workers

Episode 199: Support the Working Life Network here: www.patreon.com/WorkingLifePodcast and at ActBlue: secure.actblue.com/donate/working-life-1 What’s a worker’s life worth? To you and me, it’s priceless. Capitalism, though, doesn’t see it that way—a worker’s life is a cost of doing business, a life easily disposable when it comes to making profits. And the corporate world has an accomplice in this immoral scam where workers are disposable: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Smithfield Foods, a massive pork processor making billions of dollars every year, did almost nothing to stop workers from getting the virus at its Sioux Falls, South Dakota plant. In just under three months, more than 1,300 were infected, 43 ended up in the hospital and four workers died. OSHA’s response? A fine of $13,494 as part of a single violation OSHA cited the company for—that’s $3,373.50 for each worker killed or a little over $10 bucks for those infected. Jessica Martinez, executive director of National COSH, joins me to talk about this immoral slap on the wrist that is a “green light” to every company to act cavalierly when it comes to workers’ lives. Support the Working Life Network here: www.patreon.com/WorkingLifePodcast and at ActBlue: secure.actblue.com/donate/working-life-1 Over the past six months, I’ve brought you the stories of frontline workers and the dangers they face in the pandemic. You’ve heard the stories of poultry workers, teachers, retail workers, subway conductors, and health care workers. Today, I speak with Hipolito Andon, a cleaner and maintenance worker in New York City, who tells us about the risks he faces on the job at one of the premier real estate sites in Manhattan, Rockefeller Plaza. Support the Working Life Network here: www.patreon.com/WorkingLifePodcast and at ActBlue: secure.actblue.com/donate/working-life-1 -- Jonathan Tasini Follow me on Twitter @jonathantasini Sign up for The Working Life Podcast at: www.workinglife.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jonathan.tasini.3

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