NCL launches ’10 cents’ Facebook campaign – National Consumers League

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May 20, 2013

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

Washington, DC—Today, the nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy group, the National Consumers League (NCL), is launching a social media campaign that enables consumers to send a message to retailers that they would be willing to pay 10 cents more per garment in order to improve worker safety in Bangladesh. In the wake of perhaps the deadliest-ever garment factory disaster, the NCL is launching the “10 cents” campaign in an effort to educate American consumers about the minimal investments needed from retailers to improve dangerous factory conditions for workers overseas.

“With the death toll following the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh on April 24 having climbed to more than 1,100 it is clear factory safety must be reexamined, and worker’s rights in Bangladesh must be given the highest priority,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director. “We think consumers would be shocked to discover that paying a mere 10 cents more per garment could mean the difference between life and death for Bangladeshi workers.”

According to a Worker Rights Consortium calculation, rebuilding unsafe factories and installing appropriate safety equipment in Bangladesh would cost $3 billion, or a $600 million investment every year for five years. With approximately 7 billion individual garments exported annually from Bangladesh, a mere 10 cents tacked on to the price of each garment would generate $700 million per year – more than enough money to cover the costs for all necessary factory improvements.

Since the April 24 disaster, many European retailers signed onto an accord backed by European-based labor unions IndustriAll, Uni Global Union, and many non-profit groups that would mandate independent factory inspections and hold retailers financially responsible for fire safety and building repairs needed to correct violations.  American companies, however, have been slow to act. Before the May 15 deadline, only two US-Based companies (PVH and Abercrombie and Fitch) signed the accord.

“American companies like Walmart, JC Penney, and Gap, who depend on factories that employ low-paid workers in dangerous environments think consumers would not be willing to pay 10 cents more for clothing,” said Greenberg. “It’s time consumers prove them wrong, and let their collective voice be heard. By taking this pledge on Facebook, consumers can exercise their enormous power to influence retailers.”

The National Consumers League’s interest in the current situation in Bangladesh has historic ties. NCL has drawn parallels between the Bangladeshi factory fires that keep killing workers and the historic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City in 1911, a conflagration that killed 146 workers and galvanized the labor community and government to make workplaces safer. For the first time, factories put in place fire codes, sprinklers, and new restrictions related to smoking and open flames inside the factory as the result of the tragedy. Advocates hope the recent factory disasters in Bangladesh will have a similar effect on improving factory conditions for workers abroad.

To find out more about the 10 cents pledge, visit www.facebook.com/nationalconsumersleague

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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.

Greenberg comments for House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade hearing on fraud against seniors – National Consumers League

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May 16, 2013

The Honorable Lee Terry
Chairman
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade
Energy and Commerce Committee
United States House of Representatives
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Terry:

The National Consumers League (NCL), which is celebrating our 114th year of consumer and worker advocacy, applauds the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce for holding this hearing to discuss the growing threat of fraud targeting seniors. NCL is the only consumer group that has a National Fraud Center. We operate the center largely through our Fraud.org anti-fraud campaign. NCL has long worked to educate consumers — particularly seniors — about the dangers of fraud, particularly online and telemarketing scams.

By 2030, it is estimated that more than 72 million Americans will be above the age of 65. The percentage of Americans over the age of 65 will increase from 12.9% to 19% of the population.[1] NCL believes that this demographic change sadly presents a golden opportunity for scam artists and a serious threat to consumers.  While fraud can and does affect consumers of all ages and from all walks of life, seniors are especially tempting targets for certain types of fraud.

On a daily basis, NCL’s Fraud.org staff members hear heartbreaking stories of seniors being scammed out of their retirement nest eggs. While we are able to help some spot and avoid being defrauded, far too many come to us after they’ve already lost a great deal of money, sometimes their life savings. All too often, we must give fraud victims the bad news that their savings are gone and are unlikely to ever be recovered.

As the threat of fraud against the nation’s seniors grows, so too must the resources that federal agencies spend on fighting fraud. As the Subcommittee has noted, fraud against seniors results in billions of dollars in financial losses and incalculable emotional damage. Unfortunately, the budgets of agencies charged with protecting Americans from fraud have been stretched as never before. At a time when the perpetrators of fraud have a growing target market in America’s aging seniors, we should not ask our anti-fraud agencies to operate with one hand tied behind their backs.

We therefore welcome today’s hearing, examining the role of the federal government in addressing the growing threat of fraud against seniors. We welcome any opportunities to work in partnership with Congress and federal agencies to keep seniors informed and help protect them from scams and fraud. We look forward to a robust dialogue about this issue and a renewed focus on protecting America’s aging Baby Boomers from fraud in all its forms.

Sincerely,

Sally Greenberg
Executive Director
National Consumers League

cc:        The Honorable Leonard Lance, Vice Chairman
The Honorable Jan Schakowsky, Ranking Member

[1]U.S. Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Service. “Aging Statistics,” Online: https://acl.gov/aging-and-disability-in-america

National public awareness campaign on medication adherence honoring leaders in multi-profession student challenge – National Consumers League

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May 16, 2013

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

Washington, DC — Today, the National Consumers League (NCL) and its partners announced the awardees of the second annual Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge for health profession students. 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 College of Pharmacy California, and The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy.

The Medication Adherence Team Challenge is part of the Script Your Future public awareness campaign launched in 2011 by NCL. The campaign includes more than 130 public and private stakeholder organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation, the American Medical Association (AMA), and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA).  “We were excited to expand our competition this year beyond just student pharmacists to more broad outreach to additional fields of future  health professionals who interact with patients–doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and others,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL’s Executive Director. “This more comprehensive approach will ultimately result in patients hearing from multiple voices encouraging them to take their medication as directed.”

Research shows that nearly three out of four Americans don’t take their medications as directed. This may cause devastating results, particularly for people with chronic conditions. Poor medication adherence has been recognized by national health advocacy groups as a public health priority; it results in more than one-third of medicine-related hospitalizations and almost 125,000 deaths in the United States each year. Improved medication adherence leads to better health outcomes and reduced total healthcare costs.

The Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge was a month-long outreach competition held in February 2013 to engage interdisciplinary student teams from pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and other health professions charged with tackling the problem of poor adherence.  The teams implemented innovative solutions and outreach in their communities to raise awareness and improve understanding about medication adherence using Script Your Future materials. This year, the students also submitted entries in the categories of health disparity outreach, chronic condition outreach, and creative inter-professional team.

More than 1,700 future health care professionals held 200 events in 35 states and the District of Columbia, counseling over 12,000 patients and reaching more than 3 million consumers nationwide.

“Educating the next generation of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals is imperative to ensure that future patients practice better adherence,” said Dr. Lucinda L. Maine, Executive Vice President and CEO at AACP.  “The Script Your Future team challenge inspires students to think about new ways to address this issue and encourages innovative strategies to better connect with patients.”

“For patients to achieve optimal health outcomes, it is vital that they take their medication as directed,” said AMA President Jeremy A. Lazarus, M.D. “Patient education through community outreach enhances the conversations happening in doctors’ offices across the country and helps patients avoid adverse drug reactions and unnecessary hospitalizations. The Script Your Future challenge enables healthcare professionals-in-training to advance public health. ”

“The involvement of students and faculty in the effort to boost medication adherence is incredibly important” said NACDS Foundation President Kathleen Jaeger. “The Medication Adherence Team Challenge establishes this issue as a top priority for the next generation of health professionals, and inspires them to advance this goal within their own communities. The winners are showing the tremendous power that healthcare professionals can have on advancing patient care through medication adherence. We hope that is a lesson they will carry with them throughout their careers and that will inspire others to do the same.”

“Positive health outcomes for patients require good medication adherence and the collective efforts of community pharmacists and other health care professionals play a critical role in that equation. This is why the National Community Pharmacists Association is proud to be a sponsor of the Script Your Future team challenge, as it recognizes the indispensable role of each member of a patient’s health care team, and encourages each to be the best patient advocate they can be,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA.

The recognized schools’ campaigns, selected from over 58 applications, and 85 participating colleges and schools of pharmacy and other health professions are listed below.  In addition, the following schools received Honorable Mention under the National Award category: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-LECOM School of Pharmacy; University of California San Francisco, School of Pharmacy; and Harding University College of Pharmacy.

National Challenge Award: St. Louis College of Pharmacy

An engaged, inter-professional team of students and their faculty advisors from schools of pharmacy, medicine, physical therapy, and occupational therapy raised awareness of medication adherence through sustainable outreach in their communities. The St. Louis College of Pharmacy conducted two-dozen events throughout the Challenge month, with a particular focus on cardiovascular disease. This team adapted the Script Your Future message to reach almost 50,000 consumers. Students appeared on morning television shows with the help of Miss Missouri USA, engaged with the public at every Metro stop in St. Louis, and staffed local pharmacies and workplaces to offer medication management, health screenings and tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. To capitalize on their adherence efforts, the team trained staff from local pharmacies on medication adherence, leaving a lasting impression on their community.

National Challenge Award: University of Charleston School of Pharmacy

University of Charleston School of Pharmacy (UCSOP) created 12 new and innovative activities and resources for this year’s Challenge, reaching over 6,000 consumers in the Charleston, West Virginia community. The team included a unique composition of students from the University of Charleston Pharmacy School, Physician Assistant Program, Athletic Training Education Program, and the Regional Tobacco and Substance Abuse Prevention Program. To showcase the activities during the month, UCSOP engaged in social media by creating a Facebook page and YouTube channel, and also created a cartoon strip contest for fellow students. The team printed unique QR codes on all materials created during the Challenge that linked to original medication adherence videos. UCSOP events included a Teen Expo at a local high school where teens were counseled on healthy lifestyles and adherence.  This team used campaign messages to create outreach tailored to their community for a lasting impact in Charleston, West Virginia.

Target Market Challenge Award: University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

With a focus on diverse and underserved populations, the University of Pacific team reached a number of patients in the Stockton, California community. The University of the Pacific worked with the Script Your Future Sacramento coalition to translate resources into a variety of languages including Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean and Chinese. The inter-professional students took to the airways and produced a weekly, hour-long radio show on medication adherence. The team of students from medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy worked with local clinics to provide adherence information to Filipino, Hispanic, and rural populations. Participation in the Challenge has led to continuing partnerships with medical student-run clinics to incorporate medication adherence into the services offered and a collaboration with a university-led Medicare Part D program to provide adherence data on this unique population.

Health Disparities, Under-represented Community Outreach Award: Touro University, California- College of Pharmacy

Touro University targeted underserved populations in their outreach efforts, including uninsured, Hispanic, African American, South and Southeast Asian populations. Noting the high prevalence of chronic disease, non-adherence and barriers to accessing health care for these populations, 80% of the Challenge month events targeted under-represented communities, reaching over 1200 patients. The team conducted blood glucose and blood pressure screenings and referred a number of patients to seek further care due to high blood pressure. Learning from this outreach, Touro plans to work with partners to offer prescription assistance, health screenings and continued health literacy and cultural competency training with student-providers.

Chronic Condition Outreach Award: The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy

The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy partnered with public and private partners to focus on medication adherence in populations with cardiovascular disease. Mississippi has the highest cardiovascular disease mortality rate in the nation.  The team used Script Your Future materials to hold a number of health fairs at a local medical mall in Jackson, MS, designed to keep participants engaged with a series of activities and stations. Students from nursing, medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy conducted health screens and education with patients. An evaluation of patients who attended the fairs unearthed interesting population trends and led to a number of referrals for follow-up visits.  All involved in the outreach, from students to faculty to patients, recognized the importance and strength of inter-professional collaboration when addressing chronic diseases.

Creative Inter-professional Team Event Award: St. Louis College of Pharmacy

Partnering with health profession programs at the Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis College of Pharmacy led a robust inter-professional team to engage the St. Louis community. The team adapted Script Your Future materials to create a cohesive message “See it, Hear it, Write it, Understand it, Share it,” in which each profession describes how patients can improve adherence, adding their unique perspective. The largest team effort, Metro St. Louis Talks, involved physical and occupational therapy students educating commuters about adherence at every metro stop in St. Louis. 

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About Script Your Future

Script Your Future is a campaign of the National Consumers League (NCL), a private, non-profit membership organization founded in 1899. NCL’s mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad.For more information about the Script Your Future campaign, visit www.ScriptYourFuture.org. For more information on NCL, please visit www.nclnet.org.

Consumer group praises re-introduction of Arbitration Fairness Act – National Consumers League

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May 9, 2013

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

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy group, applauds Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) for reintroducing the Arbitration Fairness Act, H.R. 1844. Forced arbitration is an increasingly common practice that strips American consumers and employees of their right to a fair trial, should they be harmed from a product or while at work.

“Too many consumers and employees unknowingly sign contracts that contain forced arbitration clauses buried deep in fine print,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director. “These hidden agreements effectively protect big companies from being sued by shutting off consumers’ and workers’ access to the courthouse.”

In January of 2013, NCL joined with other consumer groups to issue a manifesto urging the Obama Administration and Congress to re-examine consumer protection laws. The groups asked that consumers be released from mandatory binding arbitration clauses in consumer contracts that do not allow for alternative forms of dispute resolution or judicial review. 

Consumers who sign arbitration clauses are prevented from being able to sue a company in court, but rather are directed to a private arbitration firm that is often chosen and paid for by the business. Forced arbitration not only takes away consumers’ right to a trial, but it also bars them from class-action suits, a vital tool for consumers and workers to band together and seek justice.

Defending consumers’ access to the courts has been a long-time goal of the League. In 2008, NCL, along with six other consumer and public interest groups, called on the Obama Administration and Congress to enact legislation that would restore an unbiased and open justice system that remedies harms and holds wrongdoers accountable. In 2011, NCL praised the introduction of the Arbitration Fairness Act (S. 987 and H.R. 1873), which would eliminate forced arbitration clauses in employment, consumer, and civil rights cases, and which would effectively override the Supreme Court’s decision in AT&T v. Concepcion.

“Having a dispute settled by an arbitration firm is like suing someone in a court when you know the judge has been paid off by the defendant,” said Greenberg. “The Arbitration Fairness Act would restore American’s right to a fair trial and deprive big companies of their get-out-of-jail-free-card and we urge the Senate to vote to pass quickly.”

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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.

Greenberg remarks at United Mine Workers of America rally in St. Louis – National Consumers League

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April 29, 2013

My name is Sally Greenberg, and I am the Executive Director of the National Consumers League.

NCL is a consumer and worker advocacy organization that has been fighting for fair labor standards since 1899! Our founder, Florence Kelley, wrote and implemented the country’s first minimum wage laws, maximum hours laws and her pioneering work was instrumental in getting our nation’s children out of factories and mines. NCL’s early leadership advocated for national health insurance and social security benefits for retirees.

Today, we stand with the United Mine Workers of America to show our support and solidarity for the 22,500 people affected by this egregious and outrageous example of corporate greed. No one has done more to build this nation or worked harder by the sweat of their brow or given more lives than our nation’s coal miners! The loyalty and camaraderie demonstrated here today is remarkable and uplifting! We are HONORED to be among you today!

NCL represents both workers AND consumers. Consumers have an inherent sense of fairness, especially about hard won bargained for healthcare and retirement benefits. Together we will fight to ensure that this abuse of workers and abuse of power will not be a roadmap for any other company to follow!

The industry made promises to thousands of workers. NCL stands with those women and men and every working family to demand our voices are heard and those promises are kept!! This issue that not only affects coal miners but every single worker in this country. Fairness at Patriot represents Fairness for all!

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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 statement on inmate telephone rates – National Consumers League

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April 26, 2013

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

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL) today reiterated its support for a cap on inmate calling rates. In reply comments filed recently with the Federal Communications Commission, NCL called on the Commission to set a benchmark Inmate Calling Service rate cap of $0.07 per minute with no per-call fees or other ancillary fees or taxes for all private, public, state, county and local correctional and detention facilities. In this effort, NCL joins with important allies like the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice and Verizon in calling on the FCC to create an environment where inmates can more easily stay in touch with their families.

The following statement is attributable to NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg:

“Having a loved one incarcerated already places severe strain on families. Being hit with the double whammy of extremely high calling rates to communicate with that loved one only exacerbates that strain. We applaud the FCC for considering this important issue and urge the Commission to institute common-sense rate caps that will allow inmates and their families to affordably stay in touch.”

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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.

Florida takes 2013 national LifeSmarts title – National Consumers League

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April 23, 2013

Contact: Carol McKay, (724) 799-5392, carolm@nclnet.org

Atlanta, GA—The student team from Paxon School for Advanced Studies in Jacksonville, FL was crowned national LifeSmarts champions in Atlanta on Tuesday, April 23. After a tough final match against the second-place team from Barrington High School in Rhode Island, the teens from the Florida outscored their opponents and did it with great sportsmanship. Teams from Tennessee and Pennsylvania placed third.

“We are so proud of these students from the sunshine state, who represented their state program with class and pride,” said LifeSmarts Program Director Lisa Hertzberg. “They played hard and demonstrated their consumer smarts throughout the four-day event. They are true LifeSmarts champions.”

LifeSmarts is a program run by the Washington, DC-based National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer advocate. It competitively tests high school students’ knowledge of consumer awareness, with subjects including personal finance, health and safety, consumer rights and responsibility, technology, and the environment.

Teens from each of the 38 state champion teams represented at nationals competed as individuals, and the top five scorers received $500 scholarships from NCL. This year’s winners were:

  • Environment: Jack Caljouw, MA
  • Personal Finance: Steven Cotter, FL
  • Health and Safety: Isaac Mades, WI
  • Consumer Rights and Responsibilities: Gates Palissery, PA
  • Technology: Ryan Jerue, RI

“NCL’s LifeSmarts program is allowing us to rear a generation of consumer-savvy teenagers who often outsmart their parents on issues related to avoiding fraud, credit and debt, and complicated health care decisions,” said NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg. In the 19 years that LifeSmarts has been educating high school and middle school teens on consumer issues, it has grown dramatically, with more than 3 million consumer questions at www.lifesmarts.org in the online competition during the 2012-2013 academic year.

For team photos, event schedules, grid standings, and more, log on to www.facebook.com/LifeSmarts

All winners at the national LifeSmarts Competition received valuable prizes donated by sponsors to the National Consumers League, including scholarships, savings bonds, gift cards, and more. To learn more about the program, contact NCL’s Lisa Hertzberg at 202-835-3323. For a complete listing of this year’s prizes, visit www.lifesmarts.org.

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About LifeSmarts and the National Consumers League

LifeSmarts is a program of the National Consumers League. State coordinators run the programs on a volunteer basis. For more information, visit: www.lifesmarts.org, email lifesmarts@nclnet.org , or call the National Consumers League’s communications department at 202-835-3323. 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.

Final four LifeSmarts teams determined in Atlanta: TN, RI, PA, FL to face off for the title 4/23 – National Consumers League

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April 22, 2013

Contact: Carol McKay, (724) 799-5392, carolm@nclnet.org

Atlanta, GA — Just in time for April’s Financial Literacy Month, the National Consumers League (NCL) has announced the four semifinalist champion teams that have reached the final playoffs in the 2013 National LifeSmarts Championship, taking place in Atlanta, GA, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. LifeSmarts (www.lifesmarts.org) is NCL’s 19-year-old program that educates teens and tweens on real-world financial and consumer literacy issues. Former Representative George “Buddy” Darden will help the National Consumers League crown the 2013 national champion team on Tuesday, April 23 at 12 noon EDT.

LifeSmarts is a competitive educational program, in which teams of students begin competing online. Top-scorers progress to state competitions, and state champion teams meet each April to compete in the National LifeSmarts Championship. For a complete list of state champions, visit www.lifesmarts.org.

The final four teams are:

  • Pennsylvania’s Dallas High School in Dallas
  • Tennessee’s Coffee County 4-H
  • Rhode Island’s Barrington High School from Barrington
  • Florida’s Paxon School for Advanced Studies from Jacksonville

The 2013 National LifeSmarts Champion and other winning teams will walk away with prizes and scholarships. In addition to placing as a team, individual students have the opportunity to compete for scholarships for demonstrating knowledge in specific program topic areas. The top eight placing teams and top five individuals are recognized. NCL thanks the sponsors who make our program possible, including Visa, Western Union, American Century, Investments Foundation, Google, CBM Credit Education Foundation, Inc., UL, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Bridgestone Retail Operations, Experian, Toyota Financial Services, and American Express.

Consumer-savvy teens representing 38 states competed at this year’s national event. Throughout the 2012-2013 program year, more than 15,000 teens competed online for a chance to represent their states at the 2013 National LifeSmarts Championship. Players answered more than 3 million consumer questions in the online competition.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

The LifeSmarts program will be honored by an appearance by George “Buddy” Darden, who will address the state champions at the Awards Luncheon, Tuesday, 4/23 at 12 noon. Consumer advocate and NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg will also be available for media interviews.

When: April 23, 2013

Where: Hyatt Regency Atlanta

Final match: Tuesday, April 23, 10:45 a.m. EDT

Awards Ceremony: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT

Follow the competition online

Parents and teachers can follow the action at facebook.com/lifesmarts.

The semi-final and final competition matches will be streamed live atwww.lifesmarts.org:

Tuesday, April 23, 2012

Semi-finals: 9 am EDT Pennsylvania
 vs. Rhode Island and Florida vs. Tennessee

Finals: 10:45 am EDT

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About the National Consumers League and LifeSmarts

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.

LifeSmarts is a program of the National Consumers League. State coordinators run the programs on a volunteer basis. For more information, visit: www.lifesmarts.org, email lifesmarts@nclnet.org or call the National Consumers League’s communications department at 202-835-3323.

Greenberg: Consumers need an FCC Chair on their side – National Consumers League

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April 18, 2013

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

Washington, DC—As the Obama Administration considers whom to nominate as the next chair of the Federal Communications Commission, NCL is urging the White House to nominate a chair with deep experience in public interest advocacy.

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

“Any consumer who has opened their mobile phone or cable bill in recent years understands the importance of having an FCC chair that is on their side. While the Obama Administration will undoubtedly consider a number of worthy candidates, we believe that the next FCC chair should have significant experience in public interest advocacy.”

“Washington is filled with lobbyists who have deep backgrounds in telecommunications and technology policy. They play an important role in helping the Commission address the often complex issues that it faces on a daily basis. That said, the FCC’s mission is to defend the public interest, not corporate bottom lines. Having someone at the top of the agency’s leadership who comes out of the public interest community will ensure that the FCC’s decisions reflect that critical responsibility.”

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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 concerned over proposed poultry reform – National Consumers League

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April 9, 2013

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

Washington, DC-The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, today expressed disappointment with the Obama Administration’s apparent plans to move forward with the implementation of poultry slaughter reform.

“Consumer and worker advocates have been working tirelessly to halt the implementation of this program,” said Executive Director Sally Greenberg.  “The changes USDA has proposed would put both workers and consumers at risk.”

In January of 2012, USDA proposed changes to poultry slaughter. While historically, inspection duties have been carried out by government inspectors, the new model would transfer some of these responsibilities to plant employees; these are workers who may be vulnerable to employer intimidation and lack the level of training government inspectors possess.  In addition, plants adopting the new model would be allowed to increase the speed of inspection to 175 birds per minute, a rate of one bird every third of a second.  The proposal has been sitting at USDA for several months after vocal opposition from both advocates and members of Congress, but the President’s new budget–released yesterday–includes projected savings from the implementation of this program.

“We are disappointed that the Administration has chosen to move forward with this irresponsible proposal which would endanger public health, especially after such vocal opposition from labor, consumers, and many others,” said Greenberg, “NCL has serious questions about the safety of workers and the food they produce under this scheme, none of which have been adequately answered. While judicious spending is essential, creating savings by sacrificing worker and food safety is not the answer. ”

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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.