NCL commends Blumenthal, Senate for oversight hearings – National Consumers League

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August 1, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, benk@nclnet.org

Washington, DC –The National Consumers League commends Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct) and the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight, Federal Rights and Agency Action for holding its first hearing on August 1, 2013 on a needlessly byzantine and slow regulatory process that has very real costs for workers, consumers, and the broader public. 

Regulatory review times at the Office of Management and Budget are now the longest in 20 years and have spiked sharply since 2011. The pace of rulemaking has slowed sharply in 2012 and 2013, with the White House holding up rules on issues as diverse as energy efficiency that could save billions of dollars each year, silica exposure rules for workers, and backover protection technology regulations in cars and trucks that are intended to save the lives of small children.

“The truth is that years of sensible and strong regulations have helped to keep our water and air clean, our toys safe, our cars far more protective, our drugs pure, our food free from contaminants and our product labeling more honest,” said Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of NCL. “NCL has been critical of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for bottling up an array of critical worker and consumer safety regulations without proper authority or justification.” 

“We are gratified that the Senate Judiciary Committee will be conducting its essential function in providing oversight to the work of government agencies like OMB and OIRA and thank Senator Blumenthal for his leadership,” Greenberg added. “It is high time OIRA’s ‘paralysis by analysis’ was brought under appropriate scrutiny.”

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

Advocacy group commends Senate vote on NLRB appointments – National Consumers League

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July 31, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, benk@nclnet.org

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League commends the United States Senate for its votes to confirm five nominees to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), ensuring its ability to protect American workers with a fully functioning Board for the first time in a decade. The NLRB is an independent federal agency whose board members are appointed by the President.

The new NLRB Board members are: Mark Pearce (current Chairmen), Kent Hirozawa, Nancy Schiffer, Harry Johnson, and Philip Miscimarra.

The following statement may be attributed to NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg:

The role of the NLRB is to deliver to both private and union employees the right to bargain for a better work life, as granted by the National Labor Relations Act. The NLRB plays a vital role in the safeguarding of employees’ rights to organize and promoting civil and efficient union-management relations and collective bargaining.

For years, a politicized and understaffed NLRB has been on the brink of becoming inoperable and unable to render any decisions. Without the Senate confirmation of members, the cop on the beat would have been forced to abandon its post this August. We are pleased that the Senate was able to come to this overdue action, ending questions of legitimacy for the Board and ensuring its ability to protect workers and employers.

In the current era, in which workers from all sectors have been under attack, protections like those theoretically provided by the NLRA are more critical than ever. Conservative opposition determined to prevent the NLRB from being fully functional and to undermine the federal laws in place to protect workers has finally been overcome by a series of political moves, including the President’s recess appointments and, finally, this Senate confirmation vote. We are pleased at this bipartisan vote, a step forward for the American worker; and we hope it’s a sign of better things to come.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

Consumer group praises FDA proposal on import rules to prevent outbreaks – National Consumers League

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July 26, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, benk@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization, praises the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its proposal of long-awaited import rules, an integral part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which President Obama signed into law in January 2011.

“NCL commends FDA for the release of these proposed rules,” said Executive Director Sally Greenberg. “Given the fact that the U.S. imports nearly 50 percent of its fresh fruit and 20 percent of its vegetables, these rules are instrumental in creating a food safety system which works to prevent — not merely respond – to foodborne illness outbreaks. The Foreign Supply Verification rule will require importers to ensure foreign suppliers meet U.S. standards. The Accredited Third Party Certification will only further strengthen the safety audits and certifications for food imports.”

“We congratulate FDA for moving forward with FSMA implementation and look forward to reading the complete rules and providing substantive comments on their contents,” Greenberg said.  “We are confident and hopeful that by all working together American consumers will reap the benefits of a safer and more secure food supply.” 

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

National Consumers League applauds the Senate for confirming Tom Perez to head the U.S. Department of Labor – National Consumers League

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July 18, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, benk@nclnet.org

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League, the nations pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization with deep roots in the labor history of this country, praise the Senate’s confirmation of Tom Perez as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Perez has spent many years advocating for America’s working families. 

As Secretary of Labor, Perez will serve the critically important role of overseeing the health and safety of workers through OSHA, encouraging cooperation between unions and management, promoting higher pay for the nation’s low-wage workers, and ensuring sufficient inspectors to monitor child labor practices. NCL recognizes the importance of having a strong presence at the head of the DOL. Previous labor secretaries, Robert Reich and Hilda Solis, were awarded NCL’s top honor, the Trumpeter Award. We fully expect that Perez will continue his work to protect workers’ rights and strive for greater opportunity in the workplace.

“We are very pleased that Tom Perez has been confirmed as head of the DOL,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director. “Workers around this country can sleep better at night knowing that the Secretary of Labor is in their corner. We look forward to working closely with Mr. Perez to address protecting low-wage workers against wage theft abuses and preventing the exploitation of child labor.”

NCL commends the president for this distinguished appointment and extends our congratulations to Secretary Perez.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL statement on the passing of Jules Pagano – National Consumers League

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July 17, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, benk@nclnet.org, (202) 835-3323

Washington, DC — Jules Pagano is a hero for generations of labor leaders because of his lifetime of championing their cause and his dogged commitment to economic justice.

He was also a longtime supporter of the National Consumers League and the League’s 114th year history of promoting the cause of workers and their families.

Jules Pagano enjoyed an illustrious career, serving as Chief Judge for the New York Unemployment Appeals Board; Director of Training for the Peace Corps; Provost, President and Vice President of numerous Public Universities; Education Director to CWA; and 20 years as Executive Director for the AIL/NILICO Labor Advisory Board.

Jules will be remembered for his political savvy and devotion to progressive causes and politics. It is worth noting that the League’s offices are located in the same building in Washington, DC as those of American Income Life and we had occasion to see a lot of him. And so we remember Jules for his devotion to family and his pride in his wife Kathy, son Ed, daughter in law Jenny and of course, his beloved grandson Jack. His face would absolutely light up when he talked about Jack.

We never forget your many contributions, Jules, and we will miss you dearly. Thank you for your lifetime of serving for working families. 

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

National Consumers League hails confirmation of Richard Cordray as head of CFPB – National Consumers League

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July 17, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, benk@nclnet.org, (202) 835-3323

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League welcomed the U.S. Senate’s vote to confirm Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “The Senate acted to protect the interests of millions of American consumers by voting 66-34 in favor of Richard Cordray’s confirmation to Director of the CFPB. This vote of support is long overdue. Cordray is an unusually talented and committed public servant who can now lead the charge at the Bureau in protecting the financial interests of consumers and do so with full backing of Congress behind him.”

NCL also praised Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other senate leadership for overcoming partisan obstacles blocking the Cordray confirmation. “Senator Reid deserves enormous credit for strategically moving the Cordray nomination to a successful vote. Consumers owe him a debt of gratitude.”

CFPB regulates financial services and products in the US. Its work includes policing tricks and traps too often found when consumers interact and sign contracts with financial institutions, including debt collection, banking, credit repair, payday lending, and student loans. 

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

National advocacy group urges DC Mayor to sign legislation to raise minimum wage for workers at city’s largest retailers – National Consumers League

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July 17, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, benk@nclnet.org, (202) 835-3323

Washington, DC–The National Consumers League (NCL) sent a letter to Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray today asking him to sign the “Large Retailer Accountability Act,” on his desk after a favorable vote of the DC City Council. The legislation will require companies doing business in the District whose parent companies do more than $1 billion in sales to pay their employees the DC living wage rate of $12.50 an hour.

The DC-based NCL has a long history of supporting the interests of workers and consumers since its founding in1899 and its historical support of minimum wage legislation.

“[W]e urge you to sign into law the legislation passed by the DC City Council, the ‘Large Retailer Accountability Act,’ requiring companies that do more than $1 billion in sales pay employees the DC living wage rate of $12.50 an hour. We support the bill’s stated purpose: to ‘safeguard the public health, safety, welfare and prosperity of all Washingtonians, the District must establish a code of conduct for responsible retailers in our community ensuring that large retailers pay their workers a living wage and provide affordable health benefits,’” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director.  

NCL’s letter notes: “Opponents have argued for decades that raising the minimum wage will kill jobs or make it harder for businesses to hire new workers. Economists have studied these claims, and the best research shows that minimum-wage increases have little to no effect on employment. In fact, there is ample evidence that labor market conditions can improve after a minimum-wage increase because low-wage workers have more money to spend, boosting the economy.

The NCL letter also points out that companies affected by this law are “some of the most profitable companies in the world. They can well afford to improve the wages and working conditions of their employees without significantly diminishing their profits.”

The League’s letter was signed by the organization’s Executive Director, Sally Greenberg.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

Consumer group expresses disappointment in American retailers’ watered-down Bangladesh safety accord – National Consumers League

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July 16, 2013


Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, benk@nclnet.org, (202) 835-3323 

Washington, DC—Today the nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy group expressed its disappointment in a toothless agreement signed by 17 American retailers on July 10. The so-called “ Worker Safety Initiative” purports to improve working conditions in Bangladesh. In the aftermath of the Rana Plaza building collapse, which took 1,129 Bangladeshi workers’ lives in April, companies around the world have been under pressure to improve factory conditions. In May, nearly 70 of them—almost all European—signed the Accord on Building and Fire Safety in Bangladesh, a legally binding agreement with enforcement power absent in its new, American counterpart. America’s biggest retailers—including Walmart, Gap, Target, and Macy’s—refused to sign the European agreement.

“While the National Consumers League is pleased that American companies have taken action to address the often abysmal working conditions in Bangladesh, this initiative requires close examination,” said NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg. “NCL and other worker’s rights and labor rights groups believe it lacks the enforcement and mandatory procedures found in the accord signed by European companies.”

Under the American plan, participating companies would contribute money towards factory improvements, but the factory owners are responsible for allocating the money and coordinating those improvements. The American companies were unwilling to sign the European Accord because, under it, they could have been subject to unwanted liability. The American agreement is not legally binding, and companies can opt out of the alliance at any point.

In the immediate aftermath of the Rana Plaza building collapse, NCL launched the “10 cents” campaign asking consumers to take a pledge that they would be willing to invest 10 additional cents per garment to implement factory safety measures. The campaign raised awareness among consumers about the minimal investment required to improve the lives of millions of low-wage workers around the world. One dime more per item could help ensure that all factories meet basic safety standards.

“The American plan is a ‘Get out of jail free’ card for these companies, and it doesn’t hold their feet to the fire,” said Greenberg. “If, as Walmart, Gap, and others contend, the European and American plans are nearly identical, then why did they feel the need to create a separate agreement? As knowledgeable and socially conscious consumers, Americans must make sure these companies follow through on their promise to protect workers throughout their supply chain.”

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

National Consumers League expresses deep disappointment at passage of amended Farm Bill – National Consumers League

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July 12, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, benk@nclnet.org 

Washington, DC—Today the National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization, expressed its disappointment with the U.S. House of Representatives for their vote to pass an amended farm bill. 

After the House voted down a farm bill in June, the leadership proposed severing farm programs and nutrition programs and voting on two separate bills.  The bill voted on today did not include funding for nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps).  The division of these two parts of the farm bill has been roundly criticized by both hunger advocates and farm groups, including the National Farmers Union. 

“We are deeply disappointed in the passage of a farm bill that does not include nutrition programs,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL’s Executive Director.  “This is yet another attack on the nutrition programs that make up a crucial part of our country’s safety net.  Recipients of these benefits are the working poor, children, the elderly and the disabled.  As a nation we should work to ensure low-income consumers have adequate nutrition rather than undermining invaluable programs.”

In advance of the scheduled vote, President Obama announced he would veto a farm bill that did not include nutrition programs.  “We are pleased the President is committed to protecting working families and can only hope that Congress comes to its senses and does the same.” 

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

Surgeon General Benjamin joins with National Consumers League for annual meeting of Committed Partners on National Medication Adherence Awareness Campaign – National Consumers League

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July 11, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, (202) 835-3323, benk@nclnet.org 

Washington, DC—Yesterday the National Consumers League (NCL) convened its annual meeting of the Committed Partners of the Script Your Future public education campaign, in its third year of raising awareness among patients about the consequences of not taking medication as directed. Three out of four Americans are non-adherent, meaning that they fail to take prescribed medicines as directed by their health care professionals. Coordinated by the League and launched in 2011, the innovative, multi-stakeholder effort campaign continues to educate millions of patients, family caregivers and health care professionals about the importance of adherence.

At the annual meeting, representatives from the campaign’s 135 Committed Partners and other supporters gathered to highlight campaign successes, hear reports from field organizers in the campaign’s local target markets and strategize about its ongoing work in the changing healthcare landscape. The attendees heard remarks from outgoing U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, who earlier this summer announced her plans to step down from the post. Benjamin talked about her involvement in Script Your Future and offered support for continued success. 

“Our national challenge is to become a more healthy and fit nation. We can’t prevent all diseases, but we can prevent many from getting worse by taking our medications as directed. When we work together as a whole team, we can provide better healthcare for patients,” said Benjamin. “Thousands of consumers are taking the pledge and using many Script Your Future tools to improve adherence.”

Dr. Benjamin helped Script Your Future organizers present awards to the winners of the 2013 Medication Adherence Team Challenge, who traveled to the meeting to represent their colleges and universities and receive the national honors. This month-long competition engaged health profession students and faculty in developing creative ideas for raising awareness about medication adherence as a critical public health issue. This year’s awardees are: St. Louis College of Pharmacy, University of Charleston School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Touro University California College of Pharmacy, and The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy.

“This year’s challenge featured 1,700 future health care professionals holding 200 events in 35 states and the District of Columbia, counseling more than 12,000 patients and reaching more than 3 million consumers nationwide,” said Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League, the organization that coordinates Script Your Future. “We were honored to have Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, a good friend and long-time supporter of the campaign, with us today to help honor the student leaders who represent an exciting and new generation of patient-minded health professionals.”

Dr. Janet Woodcock, Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA spoke at the meeting as well. The National Consumers League was recently notified by the FDA of the availability of grant funds to support the Script Your Future campaign by an announcement in the Federal Register.

“The framing of this campaign is brilliant. You are in control of your own future. It brings it home personally. You can control your future by taking action now,” said Woodcock. “NCL is the ideal lead for this effort, a trusted advocate for the health and welfare of the public. We at FDA intend to support NCL in any way we can to keep this effort going.”

Script Your Future is supported by a coalition of more than 130 public and private partners, including health care professional groups, chronic disease groups, health insurance plans, pharmaceutical companies, business organizations, consumer groups, as well as researchers and government agencies. The Script Your Future regional markets are Baltimore, Md.; Birmingham, Ala.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Providence, RI; Raleigh, NC; and Sacramento, Calif.

Since its launch in 2011, the campaign has represented the interests of consumers and patients in providing materials in numerous languages through partnerships with pharmacies, hospitals, medical offices and clinics, and health insurance plans; hosted community events and health fairs across the country; partnered with local officials, and evaluated medication adherence awareness through research. The centerpiece of the first-of-its-kind, multi-year campaign is a website, www.ScriptYourFuture.org, which provides tools to support patient efforts to adhere to their prescribed medicine. Tools include free text message reminders, videos, sample questions, medication lists and charts to keep track of medicines, and fact sheets on common chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure.

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.ScriptYourFuture.org.

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Script Your Future is a campaign of the National Consumers League (NCL), a private, non-profit membership organization founded in 1899. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. The National Consumers League serves consumers across the country by providing government, businesses and other organizations with the consumer’s perspective on a range of concerns – including health care and medication information. As an advocacy organization, NCL is working to educate consumers and key health stakeholders on the importance of taking medication as directed. For more information about this campaign, visit www.ScriptYourFuture.org, and for more information on our other areas of focus, please visit www.nclnet.org.