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Labor Groups Urge Nippon Sharyo To Keep Eye On Working Conditions

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Nippon Sharyo’s production milestone comes as several labor groups question safety standards at the Rochelle facility.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) recently cited the company for a serious violation stemming from a complaint filed in 2014.  Susan Hurley, Executive Director of Chicago Jobs With Justice, says her group has been hearing concerns from workers over what she characterizes as “cutting corners” at the Rochelle plant. She says some workers say they face retaliation if they speak up.

“This is exactly the kind of industry and work that we want to have in our area, in our region, in the state of Illinois," Hurley said. "However, in exchange for the tax dollars that are being used to support the company and make sure that we keep those jobs here, we need to hold the company to a standard. That is not happening right now, and that is not okay.”

Community leaders participating in the Illinois Jobs to Move America coalition say workers have complained about broken and unsafe scaffolding, catwalks, ladders and planks; lack of fall protection around railcars; worker falls and injuries; poor ventilation around toxic and flammable chemicals; and inadequate protective equipment for welders and other workers.

Kevin Koyasu, president of Nippon Sharyo USA, said, "Part of our investment is to make sure we comply with all laws and regulations and make any areas as safe as possible.”

Nippon Sharyo received numerous state tax incentives to locate and expand in Illinois.

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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