Teamster.org - In Harm's Way: How WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC. Endangers the Sanitation Workers Who Protect the Public's Health

Waste Management's unionized work force recently was spoken for by their leadership group the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Waste Management's unionized work force spoke of horrible work conditions. The unionized work force speaking up allowed testimony to be heard by the US Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety - which showed Waste Management's OSHA violations rising by 28% between 2003 and 2007.

The National Commission of Inquiry into the Worker Health and Safety Crisis in the Solid Waste Industry issued a reported titled - "In Harms Way". You will be shocked to read what Waste Management's own employees are saying about their company. Click the link below to read "In Harms Way".

http://www.teamster.org/divisions/SolidWaste/PDFs/Waste_In_Harms_Way.pdf

One has to wonder after reading "In Harms Way" do the Waste Management "non-union" employees of Alliance landfill feel the same as their fellow unionized Waste Management employees represented by the Teamsters. Do Waste Management corporate officials or Alliance Landfill management hold a power over them?

WE ASK ALLIANCE LANDFILL EMPLOYEES....WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH YOU WORK, LIVE, AND RAISE YOUR FAMILIES? WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT PERMANENT MANDATORY PM2.5 COMMUNITY BASED AIR MONITORING?

One can only continue to wonder why.....unless of course you don't live in Taylor, Old Forge or Ransom; like some of Alliance Landfills executives.

Unions Urge Senate: Act Now on Safety Crisis at Trash Giant Waste Management

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety heard testimony today from unions in the Change to Win partnership on the need for greater oversight by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of companies with a history of serious, ongoing safety violations -- including waste hauling giant Waste Management, Inc.

To Read The Full Article Click The Link Below:

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/printarticle.aspx?feed=PR&date=20080401&id=8418617

Teamsters President Jim Hoffa made the following statement before the Senate Subcommittee:

"We've all seen the commercials where those gleaming WMI trucks drive through green landscapes. But the truth belies WMI's marketing. Nearly 60% of the WMI workers surveyed rated WMI's truck maintenance as fair, poor or a failure," Hoffa said. "So how safe are workers in these trucks, and how safe are the other drivers on the road with these trucks?"

In Harms Way, a report released by the National Commission of Inquiry into the Worker Health and Safety Crisis in the Solid Waste Industry sums up Waste Management as "playing a risky game with workers' lives and public safety."

Alliance Landfill Task Force meets with Congressman Paul Kanjorski staff

The Alliance Landfill Task Force was recently invited to Congressman Paul Kanjorski's office in Wilkes-Barre to discuss Alliance Sanitary Landfill, its owner and operating company Waste Management Incorporated. However, Congressman Kanjorski himself did not attend the meeting! We were received by Mr. Tom Williams (District Projects Director) and Mr. Fred Ney (District Director) who both represented Congressman Kanjorski.

The discussion of the meeting focused on asking how Congressman Kanjorski could help the residents of our communities. The Alliance Landfill Task Force presented documentation from several federal and state sources to Mr. Williams for review. The Alliance Landfill Task Force also presented a two page letter to Congressman Kanjorski (C/O Mr.Williams) asking for immediate assistance in obtaining documentation from the PaDEP regarding Alliance Sanitary Landfill. The letter also ask for Congressman Kanjorski to support our efforts on mandatory PM2.5 Community Based Air Monitoring for Alliance Sanitary Landfill. However, with the upcoming election we asked Congressman Kanjorski to please respond with his political views on landfills.

The Alliance Landfill Task Force respectfully requested that Congressman Kanjorski please respond in writing to our request by July 11th, 2008.

Today is July 16th, 2008 and the Alliance Landfill Task Force still has not received a response from Congressman Paul Kanjorski.

It looks like the time that the Alliance Landfill Task Force met with Congressman Kanjorski's staff was "trashed" (pun-intended).

Remember, Congressman Kanjorski's response at election time!!

Pa Department Of Health - Response received 6-27-08

The Alliance Landfill Task Force has recently received a response from the Pa Department of Health in regards to our groups request for a grant for community based air monitoring.

To view the response received from the Pa Department of Health, click on the letter to the left of the text.

PaDEP - Northeast Regional Office 6/30/08 Response

The Alliance Landfill Task Force on June 30th, 2008 received a response from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regarding our concerns for additional air monitoring data.

To read the response from the PaDEP regarding our concerns click on the picture of the PaDEP letter to the left of the text. The PaDEP response letter will then appear for you to read.

Please post all comments to the response letter below:

Bear supports community on landfill issues

The Black Bear of NEPA was quoted this week saying "GRRRR...ROAR....GRRRR" and demonstrated his community support this week for the Alliance Landfill Task Force. When translated the Black Bear stated " I support the Alliance Landfill Task Force and I will no longer eat from Waste Management dumpsters".

Wildlife and bear expert Curry Oates has confirmed the translation.

Well.....have a great weekend everyone and our battle for the community resumes on Monday.

I can't hear you (hands on ears)

The Alliance Landfill Task Force for the past year has been trying to make contact with several of our local state and federal legislators to discuss several issues concerning Alliance Landfill.

It seems that a few of our elected legislative representatives have decided to remove their hands from their ears and respond to our group. The Alliance Landfill Task Force has been invited to sit and meet with both state and federal legislative officials. One meeting has been confirmed and the other meeting is waiting confirmation.

Please continue to view the blog for updates...Thank You!