Gulf Coast fishermen score another legal victory against unfair BP contracts
The United Commercial Fishermen's Association has won a temporary restraining order in federal court that requires BP to take responsibility for any hazardous chemical exposures suffered by fishermen employed in the Gulf Oil disaster cleanup.
"We are thankful this motion has not been denied and the public interest in promoting worker safety and expediting the clean-up of the environmental disaster will be served," said lead counsel Stuart Smith.
In an effort to protect their homes and livelihood from the oil, commercial fishermen across the region have offered to help with BP's cleanup efforts. As a condition of employment, they've been required to enter into what is known as the Master Vessel Charter Agreement.
A federal court already voided certain sections of the agreement because it required fishermen to waive their legal rights. The MVCA also placed the responsibility for complying with highly technical safety laws relating to hazardous substances on the fishermen.
But in response to a legal action brought by the UCFA, U.S. District Court Judge Kurt Engelhardt ordered BP to amend the agreement. Consequently, the company must now take responsibility to ensure workers are properly trained in hazmat protocol and are provided necessary protective equipment.
"We are thankful this motion has not been denied and the public interest in promoting worker safety and expediting the clean-up of the environmental disaster will be served," said lead counsel Stuart Smith.
In an effort to protect their homes and livelihood from the oil, commercial fishermen across the region have offered to help with BP's cleanup efforts. As a condition of employment, they've been required to enter into what is known as the Master Vessel Charter Agreement.
A federal court already voided certain sections of the agreement because it required fishermen to waive their legal rights. The MVCA also placed the responsibility for complying with highly technical safety laws relating to hazardous substances on the fishermen.
But in response to a legal action brought by the UCFA, U.S. District Court Judge Kurt Engelhardt ordered BP to amend the agreement. Consequently, the company must now take responsibility to ensure workers are properly trained in hazmat protocol and are provided necessary protective equipment.
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Sue Sturgis
Sue is the editorial director of Facing South and the Institute for Southern Studies.