OHS Activism – Grassroots Health and Safety in Action

The Chicago area has a long tradition of worker health and safety activity. The first COSH group was formed in Chicago in 1971, bringing together workers, labor unions and professionals to organize around safety issues for all workers. The current movement has some of the most vibrant campaigns and programs to move health and safety to the forefront of the worker rights agenda. National COSH has been working with groups in this region as part of a health and safety network around the country. Some groups active in worker health and safety organizing include Arise, Workers Collaborative and other worker center groups and support groups in the Chicago area. These groups are active in issues such as Temporary worker H&S rights, Injured worker rights, immigrant workers rights etc.

   This panel or round-table will bring together current health and safety campaigns and the people behind those actions. This will include workers, organizers and worker leaders who are part of the first to make health and safety protections a reality for all workers. Stories from workers and organizers will be presented to help this meeting be grounded on the daily struggles, fights and victories that can happen and inspire us to fight for bigger opportunities to organize workers around health and safety. Speakers will include Adam Kader of Arise, Tim Bell of the Chicago Worker Collaborative and Marsha Love of UIC.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Occupational health and safety
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe current health and safety activist campaigns in Illinois

Keyword(s): Activism, Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Peter Dooley MS CIH CSP is a safety and health consultant and President of LaborSafe. He worked for the UAW International Union coordinating educational programs for more than twenty years. Previously, he worked for Michigan State University in Labor Education. His work specializes in worker education, specializing in participative adult education and innovative programs to educate and motivate workers about improving health and safety in their workplaces. Mr. Dooley has provided educational services to OSHA.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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