This campaign addresses occupational hazards in the workplace in two areas: 1) safety and health hazards and 2) environmental pollution. The program offers training in protections afforded workers through OSHA and various environmental laws and state regulations. Because of workplace segregation and job steering, African American workers in Mississippi and across the region and country, are forced to work in the most dangerous and dirtiest sections of their workplaces. Many of the companies the Center takes on, have never been inspected by OSHA and those that have, are in violation of various safety and environmental laws. Even when these violators are cited for maintaining dangerous, life-threatening workplace conditions, they are allowed to remain in business. Often these companies escape sanctions because of racism and bureaucratic neglect. When African American workers complain about the hazards and the unfair labor practices associated with them, they are threatened with termination and in many instances the threat of termination becomes a reality.

To implement this program, the Center will partner with organizations like Jesus People Against Pollution. Board member Monique Hardin, who is an environmental lawyer, will assist us in building a cadre of environmental lawyers and advocates who can work with the Center to bring legal actions against companies who put workers at risk by failing to adhere to state and federal laws. The Center will hold at least two (2)rights-based trainings in each of the target areas and bring legal actions as resources become available.

Environmental Justice activists and local citizens in various communities are becoming more and more aware of the link between chemical poisoning in poor and people of color neighborhoods and worker poisoning at the point of production. Illegal and irresponsible dumping by unscrupulous chemical companies causes scores and scores of atrocities in communities across the country and especially in the south. The victims are the poor, the elderly and the young. Poorly designed workplaces that lack proper ventilation force workers to breathe in poisonous chemicals and as a result many are plagued with respiratory problems and other chronic illnesses. Improper labeling and inadequate training in proper storage and handling of toxic substances, result in workers being exposed to dangerous levels of hazardous chemicals. Some die from this exposure when they contract cancer, neurological disorders and other illnesses.

This project will offer rights-based training and legal representation for workers exposed to toxic substances and other hazardous chemicals. It will assist workers in developing organizing campaigns aimed at improving safety conditions in their work environment. In addition, it will give workers valuable information about how they can protect their families from contamination. For example, children and other family members have been exposed to chemicals and toxic substances when they come in contact with clothing worn in the workplace. The project will assist workers in developing a medical monitoring program in their workplace to insure proper medical attention and the creation of a strong health program for affected workers.

Another key component of the Dying to Make a Living Campaign is the campaign to Reform the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Law. Currently, under Mississippi law, workers who are injured on the job only receive benefits for 450 weeks. This also means that family members who lose a loved one as a result of a workplace accident or injury only receive death benefits for 450 weeks. Mississippi is a state that has very little union presence and has some of the lowest paid workers in the country. The cap on workers’ compensation benefits has devastating effects on workers who are already severely marginalized and forced to live on meager wages.

Not only will the Workplace Environmental Justice Project provide workers with vital information about their legal rights. It will offer workers support in their efforts to achieve better working conditions and more protection on the job.

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