Russian Mining and U.S. Showbiz – A Follow Up
A few weeks ago I posted the following on my blog:
Our Union Health and Safety resolution says: “there exists indisputable evidence from scientific, medical and empirical studies linking sleep deprivation and fatigue to critical safety and health hazards.” This truth is not denied by anybody who works excessive hours making entertainment, and that includes producers and directors that are obliged to supervise our employment conditions. Even OSHA, a government-chartered organization, “is well aware of the hazards of long work hours and extended workshifts. OSHA has publically acknowledged that fatigue is a risk factor for occupational injuries and illnesses.” So why do we continue doing something which seriously impinges on our health and safety?
I received the following reply:
Everybody AGREES with you Haskell. The statics they are compiling now are about how many productions are doing absurdly long days, how many hours and on what kinds of productions, so that they can PROVE that it is not a rare occurrence but a constant and widespread abuse. They KNOW it’s dangerous and killing people and disrupting lives and health…but they need to show to what degree and how often this is happening to add to the ammunition so producers can’t claim it is a rare occurrence and shrug it off.
At this late date, why do we have to approve this when everybody knows whats going on. You speak of compiling statistics, this becomes a delaying tactic, a diversion from a subject that desperately needs immediate attention, A subject of life and death for our members. A unanimous IA has spoken, Local 600 is dropping the ball.
Perhaps it’s time to clean house..again !