NCL statement on the new NLRB appointees – National Consumers League

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January 5, 2012

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, media@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL) issued this statement: The National Consumers League (NCL) applauds President Obama for appointing Sharon Block, Terence F. Flynn and Richard Griffin to fill the vacancies at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

“These three appointments to the NLRB, a five seat board which as of January 3rd had only two members, helps to ensure that the Board is able to continue in its vital role,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director.

All three appointees are exceptionally qualified sit on the NLRB.  Block was the Senior Labor & Employment Counsel to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee under Senator Edward M. Kennedy and most recently served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs at the Department of Labor. Flynn served as Chief Counsel to NLRB Board Member Brian Hayes and has previously served as Chief Counsel to former NLRB Board Member Peter Schaumber. Griffin was the General Counsel for the International Union of Operating Engineers and serves on the Board of Directors for the AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee.

“We applaud these appointments, ” said Greenberg. “We applaud President Obama for ensuring that an independent NLRB is able to continue in its mission of safeguarding employees’ rights to organize and promoting civil and efficient union-management relations and collective bargaining.”

“There is a common misperception that the NLRB is merely ‘pro-labor’,” said Michell McIntyre, Project Director for NCL’s Special Project on Wage Theft. “The reality is that the NLRB is an impartial independent agency designed to foster open, productive dialogue between employers and employees on fair labor practices, including collective bargaining, elections, and union representation—common sense goals intended to benefit both labor and management.”

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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 new FDA limits on antibiotic use in livestock – National Consumers League

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January 5, 2012

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, media@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League (NCL), issued the following statement today applauding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for banning the extralabel (“extralabel” means use of a drug for a purpose not intended when the drug was originally developed) use of a class of antibiotics, cephalosporin,  in livestock.

“NCL applauds FDA for issuing an order of prohibition regarding cephalosporin antibiotics.  Use of these medications in cattle, swine, turkeys and chicken will now be limited.  The order will go into effect on April 5, 2012.

80% of antibiotics used in this country are administered to livestock, not only when the animal is ill but also, unfortunately as a prophylactic measure against possible infections. This vast overuse of antibiotics in livestock has been mirrored by an increase in antibiotic resistant- disease-causing bacteria.  The trend means that we have fewer treatment options to treat sick patients, leading to higher health costs and sadly, more patients succumbing to illnesses caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Cephalosporin drugs many important applications in treating human infections and illnesses. A reduction in the use of these antibiotics in animals will be enormously helpful in reducing antibiotic resistance in humans and in treating disease.

NCL applauds FDA for its actions in limiting the use of cephalosporin in livestock.  This is an important first step toward reducing antibiotic use across the board in animals. NCL urges FDA to continue studying the issue and to take steps to limit the livestock applications of other drugs important to treating human illnesses.”

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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 applauds appointment of Richard Cordray to head CFPB – National Consumers League

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January 4, 2012

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, media@nclnet.org

Washington, DC–The National Consumers League today applauded President Obama’s recess appointment of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The following statement is attributable to Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League:

“Over more than two decades of public service, Richard Cordray has built a sterling record as a advocate for the nation’s consumers. We can think of few better candidates to be the first head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In reaction to the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, Congress created the CFPB to protect American consumers from the financial tricks and traps that contributed to the near-destruction of our economy in 2008 and 2009. Through sensible regulation, the CFPB will ensure that consumers are treated fairly in the marketplace and financial firms compete on a level playing field.

The urgent need for a strong CFPB should not fall victim to political bickering. Unfortunately, Congressional opposition — backed in large measure by the very financial industry whose irresponsibility cost consumers trillions of dollars — has delayed the implementation of the CFPB’s legal mandate. Congressional delay has forced the President’s hand and we believe he rightly chose to exercise his recess appointment authority in this case.

We look forward to working with Director Cordray to protect the nation’s consumers and put an end to predatory lending practices that have hurt consumers for far too long.”

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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 calling on Walmart, Cooper Tires to improve treatment of workers – National Consumers League

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December 19, 2011

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323,  media@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization, the National Consumers League (NCL) is calling on Walmart and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company to reform the way they are treating their employees. According to NCL, Walmart and Cooper Tire reap hundreds of millions of dollars in profit through the hard work of their employees, yet both companies continue to curb employee rights and benefits.

Walmart recently announced that it will soon increase the burden of health care costs for its employees. NCL is concerned that those affected associates are already struggling to make ends meet and, due to Walmart’s system of scheduling, many will be unable to predict how many hours they will work each week and how they will budget for these increased costs and reduced health insurance eligibility for themselves and their families.

In a recent letter to the mega-retailer, NCL’s Executive Director Sally Greenberg wrote: “We call on Walmart, a company that has made billions in profits in the United States, to pay its fair share of health care costs for all its employees.  As many Walmart associates currently struggle with poverty-level wages and unpredictable schedules, we ask Walmart to reverse its decision to cut this vital benefit. We ask Walmart to disclose the full increased burden the proposed changes would have on associates, consumers, the taxpayers and communities.”

Along a similar vein, NCL is also encouraging Cooper Tire & Rubber Company to bargain in good faith with its workers during current negotiations for a new contract as well as end the current lockout of its employees in its facility in the United States. Cooper Tire locked out its workers, just days after Thanksgiving, while in contract negotiations, and after its workers gave up $31 million in wages and benefits in 2008; actions that are completely at odds with Cooper Tire & Rubber Company’ statement of its commitment to social responsibility.

According to the United Steelworkers, since 2009, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company enjoyed an operating profit of $448 million and compensated its executives with millions in bonus and raises and even purchased a new corporate jet.

“We believe that shareholders shouldn’t be the only beneficiaries of these profits,” said Michell K. McIntyre, Project Director of NCL’s Special Project on Wage Theft.  “It is in Cooper Tire & Rubber Company’s best interest that the company shares these financial rewards equitably and fairly with its highly productive employees – the very same workforce that kept them afloat in hard times and contributed to making these significant profits possible.”

“NCL urges both companies to do the right thing by the many members of their loyal workforce and provide fair compensation, affordable healthcare, and the respect their workforce justly deserves,” said McIntyre.

NCL’s letter to Walmart is available here.

NCL’s letter to Cooper Tire & Rubber is available here.

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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 NLRB nominees – National Consumers League

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December 16, 2011

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, media@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the nomination by President Obama of Sharon Block and Richard Griffin to fill the vacancies at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Block is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs at the Department of Labor and has recently served as the Senior Labor & Employment Counsel to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee under Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Griffin is the General Counsel for the International Union of Operating Engineers and serves on the Board of Directors for the AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee.

“NCL urges the Senate to confirm these qualified nominees,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director. “We look forward to a full quorum at the NLRB, allowing it to continue in its historic mission of safeguarding employees’ rights to organize and promoting civil and efficient union-management relations and collective bargaining.”

“There is a common misperception that the NLRB is ‘pro-labor.’ The reality is that the NLRB is an impartial independent agency designed to foster open, productive dialogue between employers and employees on fair labor practices, including collective bargaining, elections, and union representation—common sense intended to benefit both labor and management.”

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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, consumer groups oppose a rider that defunds lighting efficiency standards – National Consumers League

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December 15, 2011

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, media@nclnet.org

NCL, along with Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, National Consumer Law Center, and Public Citizen have joined to write Congress a letter urging the opposition any rider to the House Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (H.R. 3671) that would prohibit the Department of Energy from implementing or enforcing the energy efficiency standards for light bulbs that Congress enacted on a bipartisan basis in 2007.

Click here to view the letter.

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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 urging FDA to drop sodium’s status as ‘safe’ – National Consumers League

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December 15, 2011

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323,  media@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—In comments filed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), the nation’s oldest consumer organization is strongly urging the government to revoke sodium’s long-standing status as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), a strong action geared toward reducing expected to reduce Americans’ sodium consumption.

“The fact is, most Americans are taking in far too much sodium, at a detriment to their health. The average American consumes 3,400 mg of salt per day, far above the recommended levels,” said Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League, which filed comments with the federal agencies this week. “While the reformulation of ready-to-eat foods to reduce sodium content is also a crucial step for industry to take, it is time for the federal government to step in and send the message that Americans need to take their sodium consumption seriously.”

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a daily intake of 2,300 mg of sodium. For nearly 50 percent of Americans, especially including those over the age of 50, African Americans, and those with certain chronic health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, the recommended daily amount is even lower at 1,500 mg per day. Heightened levels of sodium consumption can have serious health consequences. A diet high in sodium has been linked to increased blood pressure, which in turn can lead to a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.

“Consuming too much sodium has real health consequences. Luckily, simply lowering the amount of sodium in your diet can help combat these effects,” said Greenberg.

Unfortunately, with 77 percent of the sodium Americans consume coming from processed and restaurant foods, reducing sodium consumption can be challenging for many consumers. “With so much salt already added into ready-to-eat foods, simply going a little lighter on the salt shaker will not solve the problem,” Greenberg added. “We have to reduce the amount of salt found in processed and restaurant foods in order to decrease overall sodium consumption.” Reformulation of products, so that they include less sodium to begin with, is a critical step in this process.

While reformulation is a step that will be undertaken by food companies, unfortunately the industry has not voluntarily reduced sodium levels in restaurant or prepared foods, thus we turn tot he FDA to help make progress in reducing sodium levels. Wwe do not believe that an issue this important to public health should be left up the industry,” said Greenberg.  “That is why we are suggesting that FDA take action and revoke sodium’s GRAS status.

With the GRAS status of sodium rescinded, FDA would have the authority to determine maximum allowable amounts of salt in processed and restaurant foods. This would serve as a catalyst for industry reformulation efforts.  FDA has stated that it would be willing to revoke the GRAS status of salt if the food industry did not make a “substantial reduction in the sodium content of processed foods.” Since industry efforts have not yet been enough to curb sodium consumption, NCL strongly supports the revocation of sodium’s GRAS status.

“This is a nationwide problem with significant health consequences. Reducing the amount of sodium in our diets will help reduce the incidence of certain chronic, costly diseases. It is essential that the government take action to facilitate this process,” said 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.

NCL statement on Senate vote on nomination of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – National Consumers League

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December 6, 2011

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, media@nclnet.org

The following statement is attributable to Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League:

“The National Consumers League urges the U.S. Senate to vote in favor of confirmation of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The Senate is expected to vote on the Cordray nomination as early as this Thursday, December 8.

The effort to confirm Cordray has been held up in Congress by a group of Senators who have pledged to oppose any nominee to head the new consumer watchdog. The Senators opposing the Cordray nomination are seeking changes to the CFPB that NCL believes would weaken its ability to protect consumers.

The lack of consensus to confirm Richard Cordray to head the CFPB is leaving seniors, students, members of the armed forces, veterans, and other consumers at risk of tricks and traps in the fine print of contracts. Families in the United States need an empowered CFPB to protect their interests and save them from the kind of past abuses that led to the worst recession since the Great Depression.

As Attorney General of Ohio, Cordray recovered over $2 billion for consumers and communities who lost money and their financial security from shady Wall Street investments, deceptive financial products, and wrongful foreclosures. Recently, 37 state Attorneys General on a bi-partisan basis sent a letter to the Senate urging his confirmation.

The CFPB was created by the Dodd Frank reform law passed by Congress last year and is working to make sure financial companies play it straight with consumers. It has been charged with identifying and stopping unfair, deceptive, and abusive financial practices and keeping the rules governing financial service products up-to-date.

The CFPB needs a director. Without a leader at the helm, the agency is not able to exercise its full authority to oversee non-bank financial institutions like payday lenders, debt collectors, check cashers and certain mortgage lenders who target vulnerable consumers. NCL asks the U.S. Senate to do right by consumers and approve this nominee to head the CFPB.”

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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.

 

Tips for gifting tickets for the holidays – National Consumers League

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December 5, 2011

 

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, media@nclnet.org

Washington,DC – Fan Freedom Project (FFP) and National Consumers League (NCL) today released a consumer guide for buying friends and family concert or sports tickets this holiday season. The “Gifting Tickets for the Holidays” guide will educate consumers on the often-confusing landscape of live event ticketing, and help them make better, more informed decisions.

“Tickets make great gifts this time of year, but consumers need to watch closely and make sure they know exactly what they are purchasing and from whom,” said FFP Consumer Advocate Elizabeth Owen.

John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud at NCL added, “Too often consumers are confused and frustrated when they buy and share concert and sports tickets. This holiday guide will give them a chance to better understand the process and make the best choices possible.”

The Guide advises fans to:

1. Use reliable sellers: Beware of fly-by-night ticket sellers. If you’re unsure whether a company is legitimate, check its ratings with the Better Business Bureau and on consumer review sites such as Yelp! If purchasing from a ticket broker, check to see if they are members of the National Association of Ticket Brokers, whose Code of Ethics requires members to adhere to basic consumer protections.

2. Check guarantees: Check your ticket vendor’s guarantee policy. For example, Web sites like Stub Hub, TicketsNow, Ace Tickets and All-Shows guarantee every ticket sold on their sites, and will replace them or provide refunds to consumers if they receive the wrong tickets, their tickets are invalid or an event is cancelled. Craigslist and other online classifieds sites do not offer such guarantees; it’s “buyer beware” when shopping this way.

3. Pay attention to URLs: When buying tickets directly from a venue, check the Web site’s URL to ensure that you don’t get duped by an imposter. For example, Katy Perry fans were recently tricked by a Web site that sold tickets to a free concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Remember, even if a Web site looks like the official site, it may be bogus.

4. Read the fine print: Just because you bought the ticket doesn’t mean you can give it away. Some concerts and sporting events sell restricted tickets, like Ticketmaster Paperless Tickets (see below). These events require buyers to show up at the venue and present your purchasing credit card and photo ID to gain admittance. With these events, you often do not receive a physical ticket, or the ticket is worthless unless you have the matching credit card and photo ID. Ticketmaster recommends that you buy gift tickets with the recipient’s credit card and reimburse them. Some ticketing companies charge additional fees to transfer restricted tickets; others do not allow them to be transferred at all.

For a list of artists and sports teams that use restricted tickets, please visit the Fan Freedom Project’s FAQ.

5. Know the rules: Some venues limit the number of tickets you can buy. A Radiohead fan recently reported purchasing a block of tickets to share with friends. She ordered more tickets as a wedding gift, but found herself over the four-ticket max that the venue set for the show. She is now fighting with the ticket company and venue as they are threatening to cancel her tickets.

6. Buy with a credit card: Regardless of where you buy tickets, be sure to use a credit card so you can dispute any unfair or unauthorized charges. Before entering your credit card information online, be sure the site has “https://” at the beginning of the Web site address. This means the site is encrypted and safer for use.

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About The Fan Freedom Project

Fan Freedom Project is an independent consumer education and advocacy organization that promotes and defends the rights and interests of live event fans. Launched in February 2011, FFP is supported by over 40,000 live event fans, and is backed by leading consumer and business organizations such as the National Consumers League, Consumer Action, the League of Fans, the Computer and Communications Industry Association and Net Choice. Initial funding was provided by Stub Hub, a division of eBay.

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 warning seasonal workers: don’t fall victim to wage theft – National Consumers League

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November 28, 2011

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, media@nclnet.org

Washington, DC – This holiday season, the National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer organization, is issuing a reminder to the thousands of part-time and seasonal workers of their rights and protections under federal labor laws and warning them about the prevalence of abuses in the workplace. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, retailers across the country are taking on extra help to manage the holiday crowds.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, retailers hired more than 18,000 new workers in October alone.

With the national unemployment rate stuck around 9 percent, seasonal work will provide many American workers with much-needed wages; however NCL is warning new hires of the many pitfalls in the workplace that often lead to wage theft, in which workers don’t receive the compensation they are rightfully owed.

“Part-time and seasonal workers are often more vulnerable to wage theft,” said Michell K. McIntyre, Project Director of NCL’s Special Project on Wage Theft. “Many workers sign onto the temporary work, grateful for the opportunity and without paying full attention to company rules and policies governing compensation and benefits. Short-term, seasonal work also often moves at a faster pace, and both workers and employers can forget critical pieces of information or paperwork that could affect how much a worker gets paid.”

One of the most important pieces of information seasonal hires need be aware of is their worker classification—whether they are labeled as an employee or an independent contactor in their job description and tax forms.

A worker classified as an independent contractor is not entitled to employee rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). FLSA rights include:

  • The right to the minimum wage and the highest rate available between the federal ($7.25 per hour), state, city, and county minimum wages
  • Anti-discrimination protections
  • Workers compensation and overtime pay
  • Overtime compensation at 1½ times the regular hourly rate after working more than 40 hours per week for the same employer
  • A workday that begins upon entering the workplace (including donning a uniform or setting up) and ends when leaving the workplace (including the time it takes to clean up or restock inventory)

Employers do not pay payroll taxes for independent contractors; contracted workers are on the hook for the back taxes to both the IRS and the state tax board when tax season rolls around. An independent contractor receives a 1099 tax form in place of a W-2 form.

NCL reminds workers that knowing the law and keeping proper records are critical in order to ensure that they are paid the amount they are owed. NCL recommends workers save all payroll stubs and double-check that the number of hours worked, rate of pay, paycheck deductions and that the official/legal name of the employer is correct. To help American workers calculate how much they should be earning, the US Department of Labor has created a free app for smartphones to help workers track their hours and determine the exact amount employers owe. The tool is exceptionally useful when there are any paycheck discrepancies.

“In these tough economic times, it’s important for workers to get every penny they are owed. The best way for workers to ensure accurate payment is to know their rights at work and who they can turn to for help,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL’s Executive Director.

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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.