US Department of Labor investigation finds Birmingham construction company willfully exposed workers to trench collapse at Bessemer worksite

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US Department of Labor investigation finds Birmingham construction company willfully exposed workers to trench collapse at Bessemer worksite BIRMINGHAM – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation has found numerous safety hazards at a civil construction employer’s worksite following a trench collapse in Jefferson County. The department’sOccupational Safety and Health Administration investigators found CB&A Construction LLC workers removed and installed drain pipes for Jefferson County under a suspended load, without hard hats, and at the edge of an excavation that lacked protective restraints.OSHA cited CB&A Construction with a willful violation and proposed $170,145 in penalties.CB&A Construction LLC has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may...
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US Department of Labor, Office of the Trade Representative seek review by Mexican government into alleged labor rights denial at Nuevo Laredo plant

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US Department of Labor, Office of the Trade Representative seek review by Mexican government into alleged labor rights denial at Nuevo Laredo plant
WASHINGTON – The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement today requested a review from the government of Mexico of the Tecnología Modificada facility in Nuevo Laredo, based on its investigation of a denial of workers’ rights. The facility is operated by a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction and mining equipment, and other products.The U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Trade Representative co-chair the Interagency Labor Committee.The request follows a Sept. 25, 2023, petition filed under the USMCA’s Rapid Response Labor Mechanism by the National Independent Union of Industry and Service Workers “20/32 Movement” alleging that the company unlawfully terminated a worker for union organizing and that the company engaged in several actions that interfered with union activities. A U.S. government investigation found evidence supporting the allegations, leading to the request for review.“We take very seriously the allegations of employer interference in union activities in this case, including the firing of a worker for organizing. These acts undermine workers’ rights and the development of free and independent unions. The Mexican Labor Reform and the USMCA Rapid Response Mechanism were designed to address exactly this type of incident,” said Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee. “We look forward to working closely with the government of Mexico to find solutions to these issues and build on our positive track record.” Sufficient and credible evidence supporting the denial of workers’ rights by Tecnología Modificada allowed the committee to invoke the USMCA’s Rapid Response Labor Mechanism.“Workers are entitled to organize for and select the union of their choice without retaliation or interference from their employer.” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “Today’s action demonstrates the United States’ steadfast commitment to using the RRM to safeguard workers’ exercise of these fundamental rights.  We look forward to working closely with the Government of Mexico to resolve the issues present in this matter.”Mexico’s government has 10 days to decide whether to conduct a review and 45 days to investigate the claims and present its findings. The Tecnología Modificada facility in Nuevo Laredo refurbishes electronic mechanical parts used in Caterpillar tractors, earth movers and other heavy equipment. Learn more about the department’s international work.

Published at October 25, 2023 at 05:00PM
Read more at https://dol.gov

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