Ohio workers protest poisons at work sites

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WARREN, Ohio-"We just come to work here; we don't come to die!" This was an expression heard frequently on the morning of Saturday, April 28, as workers from throughout the Mahoning Valley testified about the chemical hazards in their plants. They were participants in a public hearing to commemorate Workers Memorial Day organized by Workers Against Toxic Chemical Hazards (WATCH) in Warren, Ohio.

A chemically poisoned GM worker echoed the feelings of many when he said, "I went The following interview is with Peggy Van Winkle, Chairperson of Workers Against Toxic Chemical Hazards (WATCH).

Socialist Action: Describe WATCH.

Peggy Van Winkle: It consists of chemically poisoned workers, current employees, former employees, and families of deceased employees. We started in 1988 to find out how chemicals in the GM Lordstown plant were affecting people.

We called a meeting with the union and they brought in management when we asked for a proportional mortality ratio study. This study showed that 41 percent more of us were dying at GM Lordstown than the national average.

OSHA cited GM for 750 violations, including 178 willful ones. The UAW is working with us, trying to get better health and safety measures.

Now we're finding more and more people at other plants with similar problems. So we're spreading WATCH from just GM Lordstown to anyone that wants to join. I believe the problem of toxic chemicals is much larger than people realize.

S.A.: What has been the reaction of workers and retirees to your efforts?

Van Winkle: There's mixed feelings. Some say, "Oh you people are going to close the plants down." We're not to Lordstown for the American dream. What - got was the American nightmare." Although GM Lordstown is a relatively new auto plant, opened in 1966, the average age of death is 57. In addition to high rates of cancer and heart disease, workers experience nausea, loss of consciousness, and frequent nosebleeds.

Workers and retirees from Thomas Steel, SAJAR Plastics, Warren Consolidated Industries, Wean United, and Copperweld made it clear that the problem isn't confined to one plant or one industry. All told similar stories of corporate disregard for basic health and safety conditions.

Although serious problems remain, workers at Warren Consolidated Industries and GM Lordstown have eliminated some hazards through active union safety committees. Others said that their local unions have bought into the company's arguments that increased safety costs might lead to a plant shutdown.

A worker from an area steel plant answered this charge when he said, 'I'm not here to shut Copperweld down, but I say if we can spend $42 billion to build a bomber that looks like a bat, if we can spend $42 billion $42 billion to save lives."

Rhonda Miller, speaking for Kids Against Toxic Chemical Hazards, compared large corporations to drug dealers, saying that when they get caught, they pay a fine and resume pushing poisonous chemicals.

The hearing concluded with a determination that no one should be forced to choose between a job and a healthy life. More unions and stronger unions were looked to as a way to stop corporate profits from being placed above human life. WATCH chairperson Peggy Van Winkle vowed, "It's going to be a long fight, but we're going to win."

A march and rally followed these hearings. Speakers included Joe Fiorino, president of the Trumbull County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, other labor officials, WATCH members, environmentalists, and elected officials. Clearly visible throughout the rally was a memorial to the 75 Lordstown workers who died from cancer between January 1987 and July 1988.