Work Stoppages Research Articles

IA: The Journal of the Society for Industrial Archaeology, Theme Issue: The Archaeology, by Frederic L. Quivik, ed.

IA: The Journal of the Society for Industrial Archaeology, Theme Issue: The Archaeology, by Frederic L. Quivik, ed.

“Going Up on the Way Down”: The Virginia State Penitentiary, Landman v. Royster, and the Rise and Fall of Prison Litigation

Abstract This article analyzes the rise and fall of prison litigation by examining the case of Landman v. Royster, a class-action lawsuit launched by inmates at the Virginia State Penitentiary in 1969. In 1968, an integrated group of prisoners initiated a work stoppage, to which prison officials retaliated with disciplinary action—brutal in its own right but also imposed without due process. The litigation that emerged from this conflict demolished a century-old tradition, known as the “hands-off doctrine,” of courts treating prisoners as “slaves of the state” and deferring to prison officials. In establishing prisoners’ rights to procedural fairness, Landman was at the forefront of a judicial trend of reforming public institutions and addressing the rights of marginalized groups. In winning Landman, inmates challenged their status as “slaves of the state” and curtailed the unchecked despotism of prison officials, revealing that prison litigation had the potential to undermine the functioning of the prison. As such, prisoners and their opponents were integral to a concurrent national debate about who deserved state protection and the rights of citizenship. However, precisely because the waves of prisoner litigation that ensued coincided with and aggravated calls for law and order, in response, lawmakers erected procedural hurdles to insulate the prison from judicial review once again. As a result, by 1996, with the passage of the Prison Litigation Reform Act, prisoners were returned to a kind of civil death.

Effects of and Remediation Strategies for Students Affected by a University Work Stoppage: Comparing Two Institutions of Higher Learning

In 2015, two universities in Toronto, Canada experienced simultaneous labor strikes. As much as possible, one institution proceeded as normal, whereas the other canceled academic activities. A mixed-methods approach (focus group and online survey) was adopted to explore and compare how students were affected at each university and how to better shield students from these effects. Results identified negative effects of the strike at both institutions but indicated that students whose activities were canceled experienced a more negative impact including greater psychological distress, apathy toward their studies, and financial concern. Recommendations for the handling of future work stoppages are discussed.

Analysis of jacking forces during pipe jacking in granular materials using particle methods

Trenchless technology is often used in congested urban areas or river crossings to install underground pipelines to minimize disturbance to surface traffic or other activities. Pipe jacking is a typical technique applied to jack pipe segments between two working shafts. However, the design of the jacking force is usually implemented using empirical methods. It should be emphasized that the jacking force will change for each site, depending on the magnitude of overcut, lubricants, work stoppages, geology and misalignment. A particle method is proposed to estimate the jacking force along the pipe. The microparameters are calibrated for sandy soils in Shenyang, so that the macroscale material behavior can be reproduced using the particle model. Hence, the normal force around the pipe circumference can be derived in the particle model, after which the interface friction coefficient is applied to evaluate the friction resistance mobilized at the soil-pipe interface. A modified Protodyakonov’s arch model can be used to assess the magnitude of earth pressure acting on the shield face. In the end, the combination of friction resistance and face pressure provides the jacking force. The efficacy of the proposed particle method is demonstrated by comparing calculated jacking forces with those measured in the field for three types of jacking machines in sandy soils under the Hun River, Shenyang.

Transportation safety in an urban condition

This study is explores the problem of cars entry in to subway stations. Cars been driven in to subway stations in many countries including France, Russia, Belarus, Belgium, Italy, etc. Sometimes this results in fatalities or injuries and stoppage of work at the station. In this article, we have systematized statistics on cases of cars entry in to subway stations around the world and suggest a resolution for this problem. The proposed in the study of an anti-ram protective bollard capable of blocking cars driving into stations could serve as such a resolution. Then we develop an method that of determined the optimal location of anti-ram protective bollards. The authors tested the developed methodology on the example of the Prospect Mira station (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya line) of the Moscow subway. Equipping territories around subway stations with the developed an bollards will resolve the problem of protecting subway stations against cars entering their territories and will protect people.

A TEMPORAL HISTORICAL ANALYSIS ON HOW SELECTIVE COLLECTION OF RECYCLABLE WASTE IS INFLUENCED BY EDUCATION-RELATED AND REGIONAL FACTORS AT A UNIVERSITY

The aim of the study was to determine the relation between the composition of university recyclable material collected (plastic, paper, metal and glass), education-related factors such as the academic calendar and work stoppages, and regional factors such as climate, regional economy and composition of the urban waste collected over an 8-year period. The study was conducted based on the composition of recyclable dry solid wastes at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, quantified after their selective collection between 2010 and 2017. The average proportions of the materials collected were: 63% paper; 19% metal; 8% plastic; 5% glass; and 5% other materials with recycling potential, including Tetrapak packaging. The amount of waste was around 20% lower during vacations and long weekends compared to academic periods. There was also a relation between local ambient temperature and plastic composition, which declined in cooler months. The recyclable materials collected in Rio de Janeiro, where the university is located, have different compositions from those of the university, with 41% plastic, 34% paper, 3% metal, 7% glass and 14% of other recyclable materials. For the historical series assessed, it remained unclear whether the economy affected the composition and amount of waste collected. A significant amount of paper was collected at the academic facility, so efforts to decrease its use and/or increase its recycling should be prioritized. This work was one of the first to evaluate an 8-year historical series of waste data collected within a university.

Time to Tweak or Re-Boot? Assessing the Interest Arbitration Process in Canadian Industrial Relations

Interest arbitration, or third-party arbitration, is an essential element of the Canadian industrial relations system, with considerable impact on the public interest, particularly in relation to public-sector industries. As an instrument of labour relations policy, interest arbitration has become the primary alternative to costly work stoppages. By and large, most stakeholders appear to hold the view that the arbitration system functions fairly well, judged at least by the overall satisfaction of unions and employers. As arbitration’s significance in terms of usage and potential economic effect increases, however, several aspects are of concern. In particular, there are questions about (i) whether the design of the interest arbitration model – and, indeed, the broader system of interest arbitration – yields efficient and equitable labour relations and economic outcomes, (ii) whether the use of interest arbitration leads to higher wage outcomes than governments would otherwise pay, and (iii) whether, in crafting decisions, interest arbitrators apply criteria that serve the public interest. This Commentary assesses the current state of the interest arbitration system, and shows that, regarding the overall question of what model and what features might best serve interest arbitration in Canada, there are four areas in which governments should undertake reviews and take steps to strengthen the system and its outcomes: • introduce certain criteria that arbitrators should consider as serving the best interests of the public; • identify the skills that mediators and interest arbitrators need, set competency standards and develop training to enhance skills; • establish an independent roster of mediators and arbitrators; and • assess the need to further strengthen the role of mediation and/or, more formally, follow a two-stage mediation-arbitration process.

Present and future contribution of geophysics to the prevention through design and quality management approaches for tunneling operations

Tunnels should be constructed, maintained and used without neglecting the basic principal of occupational health and safety, environmental protection and economic efficiency. This involves a prevention through design approach from the very first steps of the project, and a careful risk management during the tunneling operations, both based on the identification and evaluation of a number of input parameters. However, owing to the peculiarities of tunneling operations, many of these parameters are difficult to forecast and assess with sufficient detail. This problem can dramatically affect the quality of the result, and can cause accidents, environmental pollution and work stoppages, with consequent economic losses. The paper stresses the advantages of further implementation of near surface geophysics in tunneling design, construction and maintenance from an economic point of view. Moreover, it provides a comparison data on the economic losses owing to a not exhaustive knowledge of the rock characteristics vs the investments in the up-to-date geophysical investigations necessary to ensure a better quality of the design input data.

Protecting Museum Collections from Vibrations Due to Construction: Vibration Statistics, Limits, Flexibility and Cooperation

ABSTRACT Vibrations due to heavy construction work continue to be a major concern for museums. Although there has been an increase in research on the effect of vibrations on objects of cultural heritage in recent years, selecting measures to protect collections and remain open during construction work continues to be difficult because of a lack of data on what objects can actually withstand, the complexity of vibration loads, and the uniqueness of each situation. The major renovation of the Central Library in Liverpool, UK, which shared walls with the World Museum and Walker Art Gallery, both of which belong within National Museums Liverpool, showed how museums and other institutions can successfully deal with such situations. An integral approach was taken, beginning with an extensive risk analysis to determine which objects could remain on display, which needed extra protection and regular condition monitoring, and which had to be removed. The museums then negotiated a vibration protocol and action plan with the contractors, including continuous monitoring, and trigger levels requiring consultation or work stoppage. Vibration data were also stored and used for later analysis. This integral approach was successful in protecting the collections on exhibition, with only two incidents of reported damage directly related to vibrations. A combination of museum staff experience, excellent communications with the contractors, and some flexibility in defining vibration limits provided a successful recipe for both museums. The analysis of the vibration data using the basic engineering concept of the Palmgren-Miner rule, supports a more flexible approach to setting vibration limits based on recently published guidelines.

Multi-level influences on the evolution of unethical behavior amongst longshoremen in France

In this paper, we build theory about how the taken-for-granted nature of certain unethical workplace behaviors evolves over time. A qualitative study of longshoremen in two major ports across the south of France revealed how a trifecta of cross-level factors combine to create an ideal setting for unethical conduct. Data collected from 47 interviewees either longshoremen or working in direct contact with them (foremen, port officials and ship owners) found that profession level factors (changing ideologies), group level factors (beliefs around power and exclusion) and individual level factors (little reputational concern, and ease of misconduct) resulted in a workplace where engagement in certain unethical behaviors (e.g. theft, violence, work stoppage) was normalized. However, we find that as organizational, group, and individual level factors evolved, certain of these unethical behaviors became unacceptable (e.g. theft, damaging workplace materials, and extreme violence) while others became newly adopted and increasingly normalized (e.g. claiming double pay, faking sick leave, shirking). Our findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how unethical norms around specific acts of misconduct are sustained, developed, and dismantled.

Grossesse au travail dans les métiers de la santé, quels suivis et surveillances

A study was conducted with occupational health services to describe the progress of occupational pregnancies in the health sector. Compared to female administrative employees and workers, health sector employees were particularly exposed to more than five risks for pregnancy. Workplace adaptations observed are infrequent and work stoppages are particularly numerous. This justifies effective monitoring of pregnancies for personnel in this sector.

Feasibility study for the generalization of early management of low back pain in work stoppage after a work-related injury

A considerable proportion of work absence is attributed to low back pain (LBP), with high lost productive time and health spending, specially after a work-related injury. The French Health Insurance try to improve the return-to-work for these patient with a early care in rehabilitation center. The objective of this study is to determinate if a early care three months after a work stoppage after a work-related injury improve the return to work three months after, and to determinate factors that influence the return-to-work. Five center in France took part in this protocol, in an open prospective study; 147 LBP patients (handler) were included in 2016, three months after the work-related injury. The intervention was a multidisciplinary functional restoration program for 67 patients. The others were follow-up about the return-to-work. The outcome was the return-to-work rate three months after the intervention. In the 52 remaining patients, 26 (50%) were at work at 3 months: 16 in full time at the same job. Nine patients were in occupational retraining. For the other 80 patients, 70 (87.5%) were at work at three months. Active physiotherapy, TAMPA, FABQ, DALLAS, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) after the programs were found to have relationships with the outcome. LBP background and being sportive before or after the program, were not found to have relationship with the outcome. Unfortunately, we fund an adverse effect of the multidisciplinary functional restoration program from patients with low back pain in work stoppage after a work-related injury in our study. Maybe the overmedication, or the drama caused by this program in hospitalization, must influence the situation of workers. Surprisingly, sports practice did not show any influence on the results. Active physiotherapy should be offered to any patient in this situation to promote the return to work.

Abstract C22: Cancer-related financial burden, employment, and health among rural cancer survivors

Abstract Purpose: A growing body of literature has begun to document rural-urban disparities among cancer survivors. Rural survivors report worse mental health, health behaviors (e.g., smoking, physical activity), and self-rated health relative to urban counterparts. There is a need to determine modifiable determinants of these disparities, including work. Only one study of which we are aware has explored financial determinants of health: Weaver and colleagues found rural survivors were more likely to report not being able to work because of health-related reasons than urban counterparts. Little, however, is known about cancer-related financial burden during (e.g., filing for bankruptcy) and after treatment (e.g., not returning to work). Objective: This study seeks to: 1) characterize cancer-related financial burden and employment among rural survivors and 2) examine how these factors pertain to their self-rated health. Methods: We drew from an ongoing larger study that is characterizing the health needs of 600 rural cancer survivors and caregivers of cancer patients throughout Illinois State. Participants were recruited via non-probability based sampling methods, including physical flyers placed in rural community organizations (e.g., churches, hair salons, support groups), public health departments, clinics, hospitals, and cancer centers as well as at cancer-related events (e.g., Relay for Life); word of mouth; and electronic flyers distributed via websites, listservs, and social media. Interested participants contacted staff via the study website or phone number. To be eligible for the study, individuals self-reported: 1) being 18 years or older, 2) identifying as a survivor and/or caregiver, and 3) living in a rural part of Illinois State. After screening and providing informed consent, participants completed surveys by mail, phone, or website. Participants received $15 for their time and effort. Results: Since February, we have recruited 72 current survivors, 84% of whom completed the survey online and 27% of whom also self-reported having been caregivers of cancer patients during their lifetime. Our sample was largely female, married, and non-Latino White (NLW). Survivors in the sample are well-educated overall, with 52% holding a bachelor's degree or above. The median annual household income (AHI) was $50,001 to $75,000, with 40% reporting an AHI of more than $75,000. Approximately 26% of respondents indicated cancer-related financial burden. With regard to work, 52% indicated cancer-related work stoppage, 18% indicated they did not return to work, and 40% indicated a reduced workload during treatment. Cancer-related financial burden was associated with family income, in that work stoppage was associated with lower annual household income (B = -0.32, 95% CI [-0.14, -1.35], p = .02). Finally, we examined how cancer-related financial burdens and employment factors were associated with rural residents' self-rated health. Cancer-related employment factors were associated with self-rated health, in that returning to work at a different job (as opposed to the same job) was associated with lower self-rated health (B = -.49, 95% CI [-.34, -.06], p = .008). Discussion: Our study suggests that work may be an important determinant of rural-urban disparities among cancer survivors. Specifically, financial burden and work difficulties were fairly prevalent among our sample. Returning to work at a different job was significantly associated with lower self-rated health. Limitations include small sample size, generalizability, and an inability to make causal inferences. Our next steps will be to further explore how these work-related factors pertain to specific health behaviors, mental health, and physical health outcomes among survivors and caregivers. Citation Format: Emily Hallgren, Leslie R. Carnahan, Kristine Zimmermann, Yamile Molina. Cancer-related financial burden, employment, and health among rural cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr C22.

Assessment of the national response to acute viral hepatitis A in Tunisia, 2016–2017

Introduction In Tunisia, the epidemiology of hepatitis A has considerably changed in recent years, and the country has moved from high endemicity level to a low endemicity level with an overall national prevalence of IgG anti HAV antibodies estimated at 79% and a low level of immunity in young people. During 2016 year, the national notifiable diseases surveillance system detected the occurrence of a national outbreak of HVA affecting more than 12 governorates. In this context, we have strengthened the national response to the VHA outbreak by establishment of new guidelines. Our aim was to establish a summary report of the national response to HAV epidemic from 2016 to 2017. Methods The national response is based on: early notification of any probable or confirmed HAV case from the regional level to the national level, the immediate epidemiological investigation around cases and active case finding (school or community-based survey), school eviction or work stoppage of any probable or confirmed case for a period of 14 days from the date of onset of symptoms and post-exposure emergency vaccination. Results Until October 2017, 2046 confirmed cases of HVA were recorded, including 1555 in schools and 491 in community settings. The most affected governorate was Gabes (831cases). The number of schools affected was about 458, mostly in rural areas, with poor hygienic conditions and drinking water supply problems. The average age was 10.15 ± 8 years, and 82% of the subjects were enrolled in school. The icteric form was the most common in 68% of cases. Eleven cases of death were noted. Conclusion The epidemic is still expanding in the country, especially schools in rural areas, which requires strengthening the response, awareness and involvement of the various structures concerned like the Ministry of Education, environment and civil society.

Trade unions, communities and struggles: US sit-down strikes and their potential: from the Committee for Industrial Organisation to the age of austerity

In the United States, the sitdown strike, or plant occupation, was an innovative tactic that the embryonic industrial unions of the Committee for Industrial Organisation (CIO), later renamed the Congress of Industrial Organisations, used predominantly from 1936 to 1938. A direct-action tactic where workers commandeer a workplace and halt production, this specific type of work stoppage provided a number of advantages compared to conventional strikes. Sit-down strikes could be more effective as workers’ barricades could prevent replacement workers from entering the facility. Furthermore, employer fears of possible destruction of machinery, equipment and inventory meant law enforcement and company security personnel were more hesitant in attempting to retake the plant. This article identifies a number of the key struggles of the past that have used the sit-down strike weapon. These include the fights for civil rights and against rising income inequality. The article concludes by raising questions as to what might have followed, if plant occupations had remained legal and continued as a form of direct action throughout the second half of the twentieth century and the first decades of the twenty-first century.

Maintenance Culture and Performance of Selected Rice Mills in Ebonyi State

The seeming frequent breakdown of machineries as a result of poor maintenance culture in the studied rice mills necessitated this study. The objective was to identify the extent of relationship that exists between maintenance culture and performance of selected Rice Mills in Ebonyi State. Correlation Survey Research Design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 1024 and sample size was 279 arrived at using Krejcie and Morgan formula. Correlation analysis was adopted in analysing the data. The findings of the study revealed that a statistically significant relationship exists between corrective maintenance and machine availability with a correlation coefficient of .984. The study concluded that maintenance culture has a vital role to play in the performance of manufacturing outfits like the studied organizations. Sequel to this, it was recommended among other things that maintenance of equipment in the studied firms should not be done when there is total shutdown as this will amount to stoppage of work and that allowing machine to breakdown first could amount to huge capital outlay for repair and therefore should be avoided by the studied firms. Keywords: Maintenance Culture, Corrective Maintenance, Performance and Machine Availability

El movimiento médico y el doctor Ismael Cosío Villegas. A medio siglo

In 1964, medical residents and interns of the Mexican Republic decided to carry out a work stoppage that stretched over for several months. Several prominent doctors decided to join the causes that motivated the movement, among which Dr. Ismael Cosío Villegas, who at that moment was the director general of the Huipulco hospital for tuberculosis patients; his participation and dedication are historical, and his determination caused for his resignation to be demanded. His trajectory remains practically unknown by the medical community.

Modeling the Completion Time of Public School Building Projects Using Neural Networks

The Ministry of Education in Iraq is confronting a colossal deficiency in school buildings while stakeholders of government funded school buildings projects are experiencing the ill effects of extreme delays caused by many reasons. Those stakeholders are particularly worried to know ahead of time (at contract assignment) the expected completion time of any new school building project. As indicated by a previous research conducted by the authors, taking into account the opinions of Iraqi experts involved with government funded school building projects, nine major causes of delay in school building projects were affirmed through a questionnaire survey specifically are; the contractor's financial status, delay in interim payments, change orders, the contractor rank, work stoppages, the contract value, experience of the supervising engineers, the contract duration and delay penalty. In this research, two prediction models (A and B) were produced to help the concerned decision makers to foresee the expected completion time of typically designed school building projects having (12) and (18) classes separately. The ANN multi-layer feed forward with back-propagation algorithm was utilized to build up the mathematical equations. The created prediction equations demonstrated a high degree of average accuracy of (96.43%) and (96.79%) for schools having (12) and (18) classes, with (R2) for both ANN models of (79.60%) and (85.30%) respectively. It was found that the most influential parameters of both models were the ratio of the sum of work stoppages to the contract duration, the ratio of contractor's financial status to the contract value, the ratio of delay penalty to the total value of contract and the ratio of mean interim payments duration to the contract duration.

Risk analysis and strategic planning on bridge construction works at the toll road procurement projects in Central Java Province

Risk is a condition caused by uncertainty. Risks will occur on any construction project, including bridge construction projects. Efforts that can be taken to minimize the impact of these risks are to engage in risk management activities. This research was conducted on bridge construction work on toll road procurement project in Pejagan-Pemalang, Pemalang-Batang and Salatiga-Kertasura. The purpose of this research is to analyze the risk of bridge development project in toll road project using Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS) method and then the result as database in discussing risk response strategy. The bridge construction project has 36 risks that are divided into six groups: materials and equipment, design, human resources, finance, management, nature and environmental conditions. Bad weather risks are the higest risk and seasonal risk causing temporary work stoppages. This risk-response strategy is avoidance. Short-term avoidance response strategy is to add shift workers, install tents and add additives in the acceleration of the process of maturation of concrete. The long-term avoidance response strategy is to evaluate and rearrange the work schedule by considering the weather forecast report.

A human behavior integrated hierarchical model of airborne disease transmission in a large city

Epidemics of infectious diseases such as SARS, H1N1, and MERS threaten public health, particularly in large cities such as Hong Kong. We constructed a human behavior integrated hierarchical (HiHi) model based on the SIR (Susceptible, Infectious, and Recovered) model, the Wells-Riley equation, and population movement considering both spatial and temporal dimensions. The model considers more than 7 million people, 3 million indoor environments, and 2566 public transport routes in Hong Kong. Smallpox, which could be spread through airborne routes, is studied as an example. The simulation is based on people's daily commutes and indoor human behaviors, which were summarized by mathematical patterns. We found that 59.6%, 18.1%, and 13.4% of patients become infected in their homes, offices, and schools, respectively. If both work stoppage and school closure measures are taken when the number of infected people is greater than 1000, an infectious disease will be effectively controlled after 2 months. The peak number of infected people will be reduced by 25% compared to taking no action, and the time of peak infections will be delayed by about 40 days if 90% of the infected people go to hospital during the infectious period. When ventilation rates in indoor environments increase to five times their default settings, smallpox will be naturally controlled. Residents of Kowloon and the north part of Hong Kong Island have a high risk of infection from airborne infectious diseases. Our HiHi model reduces the calculation time for infection rates to an acceptable level while preserving accuracy.