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Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health |
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Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health |
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We are unions, health and legal professionals working together since 1975 for a safe and protected workplace as well as for the rights of injured workers. Organized in 1975, the Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health (PHILAPOSH) was the second organization formed in the United States by unions, health and legal professionals that focused on health and safety issues faced by workers and their unions. Over the past 25 years we have provided assistance to hundreds of unions and thousands of workers, both union and non-union. Our Board of Directors is comprised of 24 organized labor representatives who oversee the operation of Philaposh. Philaposh has won grants from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, http://www.osha.gov/), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, http://www.epa.gov/), and the Philadelphia Foundation (http://www.philafound.org/), City of Philadelphia, just to name a few. But the vast majority of our funding over the past 25 years has come from grass roots support and individual donations. Unions and individuals make up the bulk of our support. Philaposh works closely with International Unions, federal agencies (like OSHA) and a national network of 25 Coalitions on Occupational Safety and Health (COSH Groups). Our award winning staff and volunteers quickly respond to your requests for assistance. We are an educational, consulting and political action organization that works for you, our supporters. Unions become part of Philaposh by contributing "sponsor" dues annually at the rate of $.90 per member per year, minimum $100, maximum $700 per year. Dues are set by the membership. Sponsor unions receive 10 copies of Safer Times each quarter. They appoint a member to the Board as well as delegates who vote at meetings. In addition, they have instant access to health and safety information and other forms of support. Philaposh has a national reputation for innovative approaches to organizing political pressure on city, state and federal legislators to pass new laws and regulations that would give workers more rights to safe jobs. We have worked just as feverishly to defeat negative laws and regulations that would deny safe job rights to workers. Up to six million workers are injured each year in the United States - 6,000 killed outright and 600,000 suffer from repetitive strain injuries (RSI). At least 50,000 die each year from work related disease. Philaposh has four Injured Worker groups in Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery Counties. These groups meet monthly to learn what effects workers compensation laws have on them and their families. They share experiences and resources as well as comfort and support. Philaposh maintains a healthy working relationship with many organizations, including Farmworkers, Health and Safety Institute, Jobs with Justice, Philadelphia Unemployment Project, Delaware Valley Toxics Coalition, Public Interest Law Center, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Peace Action and Tri-State Labor Day Committee. Since 1988, Philaposh has led the organizing of the Workers Memorial Day Observance at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia. Co-sponsored by the AFL-CIO, this event has become the highlight of each year's labor activities in our region. Hundreds of union leaders, injured workers, attorneys, health professionals, religious and political leaders attend this extremely moving ceremony each year. |