Worker Engagement in the Health and Safety Regulatory Arena under Changing Models of Worker Representation. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Delp, Linda; Riley, Kevin
• Other Names: Bruno Robert guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Labor studies journal. Volume 40:Number 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 83
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Workplace Hazards -- Occupational Safety and Health Regulations -- Labor Standards Enforcement -- Worker Advocacy; Industrial relations -- Periodicals; Labor unions -- Periodicals; Industrial relations -- United States -- Periodicals; Labor unions -- United States -- Periodicals; Labor -- Periodicals; 331
• DOI: 10.1177/0160449X15569387
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-449X

Abstract

This paper examines the efforts of a labor-community-university partnership in Southern California to confront violations of workplace health and safety standards by employers of nonunion workers in low-wage jobs. A worker engagement model has opened avenues for workers and worker advocates to participate in the regulatory arena absent union representation. This approach has achieved notable successes to date, including groundbreaking Cal/OSHA citations and nascent collaboration with agency officials to target enforcement of health and safety standards. We argue this model constitutes the foundation needed to support a potentially viable form of tripartism that allows nonunion workers a voice, albeit limited, in the health and safety regulatory process.