You think you got it bad if you can't pump at the worksite?  What about
it you can't get permission to use the restroom!

A newspaper article entitled "Workers kept from restroom to get relief"
was written by Maggie Jackson and circulated through the Associated
Press (U.S.) on March 13, 1998.  The article highlights many
difficulties faced by workers who must get permission and/or receive
replacements in order to use toilet facilites.  One woman is profiled as
having to wait so long that she soiled herself. In some factories or
industries, if you leave your post you can be disciplined or fired.

The article cites Marc Linder, at U. of Iowa, who did some research on
company policies concerning bathroom access.  A co-author was studying
the medical impact re: urinary tract infections.  (the book is called
"Void Where Prohibited!).  They discovered that the problem is much more
widespread than had been previously thought.

The article notes that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration will issue its first explicit directive requiring
bathroom access sometime this spring.  The article notes that the food
processing factories (especially poultry) have the worst record on
bathroom access.  It is a big issue for labor unions.  In response, a
spokesperson for a chicken processing corporation insists that workers
are allowed access, but are "abusing that freedom, be example, by going
outside and smoking."

Wouldn't it be ironic that if Rep. Maloney's legislation is passed
assuring women the right to express breastmilk at the worksite, that
women would still have to pump in the bathroom because they don't get
any other time to pee?

On the other hand, if OSHA requires businesses to provide access for
basic human functions, this should also strengthen the case for
breastmilk expression.

A what a fascinating world!

--Doraine Bailey
ILCA WBW Coordinator
WBW 1998:  Breastfeeding: the Best Investment
(Who is wondering how that idea will go over with factory managers who
won't even let employees use the bathroom and thus increase their risk
for UTI and medical costs, but who figures they probably don't offer
medical health care anyway... And we WANT these industries to come to
Kentucky!?!)

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