The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56776

Ruth Ruttenberg, PhD, Elaine Kitt, Reynaldo Martinez, Elizabeth Regan, and Amy Squibb. George Meany Center for Labor Studies-National Labor College, 10000 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903, 301-571-4226, rruttenberg@georgemeany.org

Four recent alumni of the George Meany Center for Labor Studies-National Labor College, with majors in occupational safety and health, present their senior thesis research. These students have unique access to the attitudes and activities of rank-and-file trade unionists, as they are members of trade unions themselves: Communication Workers of America, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, PACE International, and United Transportation Union. They represent public sector office, transportation, and building trades workers. Each of these papers is both activist-oriented and scholarly - a unique blend of advocacy and original research meant to improve safety and health for themselves and their union brothers and sisters. Ruth Ruttenberg, the panel moderator, is one of the faculty at the National Labor College responsible for advising students during the research and writing of their theses. She has worked and written in the field of occupational safety and health for 30 years.

Learning Objectives:

• • Promote the importance of labor research from the perspective of the rank-and-file;
  • Familiarize attendees with the depth and breadth of on-going research by college seniors who are experienced skilled workers;
  • Delve into specific research topics critical to improving the safety and health of workers across the United States.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.