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!?!) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com