DOE’s Toxic, Hostile Working Environment Violates Human Rights

Prepared for

United States Senate, Committee on Governmental Affairs,

Hearing on Safety and Health at DOE Oak Ridge K-25, Piketon and Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plants

by

Edward A. Slavin, Jr.

March 22, 2000

[COMMENT1]

Table of Contents

1 Overview: DOE’s Enduring “Legacy” of Toxics, Disease and Whistleblower Retaliation 4

1.1 WHY DOES DOE WANT TO “RATION JUSTICE” AND TO DENY OPEN PUBLIC HEARINGS OR APPEALS ON WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?. 6

1.2 DOE CONTRACTORS MUST PAY FOR COMPENSATION AND POLLUTION AND STOP SUPPRESSING DISSENT. 14

1.3 WORKPLACE FREE SPEECH MUST BE PROTECTED AND ENCOURAGED AMIDST DOE’S HISTORY OF TOXIC EXPOSURES AND CONCEALMENT OF INFORMATION.. 19

1.4 “EQUITY DELIGHTS TO DO JUSTICE, AND NOT BY HALVES” 21

2 DOE’S FLAWED “FIRST DRAFT” PROPOSAL FOR COMPENSATING TOXIC VICTIMS OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS PRODUCTION.. 22