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Complaints Claim Unsafe Conditions At Nippon Sharyo

WNIJ

A Chicago labor group held a news conference Monday afternoon to speak out about unsafe working conditions at Rochelle's Nippon Sharyo plant.  The Chicago Federation of Labor and the group Jobs to Move America point to two recent complaints filed with OSHA. The complaints draw concerns over  exposure to chemicals.

Rachele Huennekens is a spokesperson with the group Jobs to Move America. She says some welders are concerned about working with hexavalent chromium, also known as "Chrome6."

"Another safety issue that the workers are raising concerns about is unsafe scaffolding, planks, and ladders throughout the plant," Huennekens said. "It is really quite dangerous. Workers reporting to be working on these railcars sometimes on top of them which are 15 feet cars without any fall protection."

She says taxpayers should care about the factory's working conditions because, she says, public dollars helped pay for some of the equipment there.

"These should be good jobs, and they should be safe jobs. After all, Nippon Sharyo does build rail cars and trains for Metra and other public transit agencies around the country," Huennekens said.

Chicago Tribune: Rail-Car Manufacturing Workers Claim Unsafe Conditions

Earlier this year, Nippon Sharyo paid a $2,000 fine for a serious violation involving a spray finish using flammable and combustible materials.

Spokespeople for both the Chicago Federation of Labor and Jobs to Move America say some workers are worried about speaking up to supervisors for fear of retaliation.

Nippon Sharyo issued this statement Monday afternoon:

Nippon Sharyo has invested over $100,000,000 in Rochelle through its two factories and the long-term job stability it provides to its over 500 employees. It has had contracts with 246 Illinois based companies for their goods and services, of which 150 are the companies Nippon Sharyo has started doing business in last 3 years. Nippon Sharyo’s goal has always been to be one of the best places to work. It pays competitive wages and provides excellent benefits. Nippon Sharyo has an open door policy and respects the rights of the employees.

Jenna Dooley has spent her professional career in public radio. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois - Springfield. She returned to Northern Public Radio in DeKalb after several years hosting Morning Edition at WUIS-FM in Springfield. She is a former "Newsfinder of the Year" from the Illinois Associated Press and recipient of NIU's Donald R. Grubb Journalism Alumni Award. She is an active member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and an adjunct instructor at NIU.
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