Region 2 News Release: 10-1554-NEW/BOS 2010-457
Nov. 12, 2010
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
E-mail: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov

OSHA and NIOSH to host Nov. 16 New York City
Latino/immigrant worker safety and health summit
Conference goal to inform vulnerable workers of rights

NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health will co-sponsor the New York City Action Summit for Latino/Immigrant Worker Safety and Health on Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, at Lehman College's Lovinger Theatre, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. W., Bronx, N.Y., 10468.

Building on the success of a national summit held earlier this year in Houston, the New York event will bring together workers, labor groups, community organizations, consulates, educators, government officials, safety and health professionals, employers and other partners to share the most effective strategies in reaching Latino workers, expand outreach and form new partnerships.

"Our focus will be on strengthening existing efforts and building new partnerships to make Latino workers in the greater New York City area aware of their right to a safe and healthful workplace, provide them with vital information and assistance, and ensure they have a voice in the workplace when it comes to safety and health," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York.

The summit's panels will feature Latino workers speaking out about job safety and health, an overview of successful collaborative efforts to protect at-risk workers, and a discussion among government and union representatives on making a difference for workers. Breakout sessions will focus on identifying safety and health hazards and exercising workers' rights.

Admission is free, but space is limited. Advance registration is required. To register, members of the public should contact Babette Velez at 212-337-2335 or velez.babette@dol.gov. Members of the press should direct questions to Ted Fitzgerald at the phone number and e-mail address above.

Participants will include representatives from OSHA and other agencies of the U.S. Department of Labor; NIOSH; the New York State Department of Labor; the New York City Comptroller's Office; the Consulate General of Guatemala in New York; the Consulate General of Mexico in New York; the New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health; Make the Road New York; El Centro de Hospitalidad; the Laborers International Union of North America; and the New York State AFL-CIO.

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