Letter: Labor director’s criticism of sick worker advocates is unacceptable

Regarding the story, “Nuclear workers fear new policy will make it harder to win compensation” (TCH, Jan. 23), it appears that Leonard J. Howie III, director of the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, was misguided in stating that advocates voicing objections to how the nuclear weapons workers compensation program is run dishonor workers “who spent their lives and sacrificed their health in service of their nation.”

Attempting to squash criticism by attacking the messengers rather than the issues is inappropriate. Accusing advocates for sick workers of dishonoring their family/friends by questioning poor government policies is unacceptable. Many advocates are sick workers themselves or family members of sick/deceased workers and have spent near decades fighting for fair treatment for these victims of government carelessness. Congress charged the Department of Labor with helping workers secure their just benefits.

Director Howie’s comments suggest he does not fully understand the difficult history of this program or the Department of Labor’s mission. Such statements only increase the pain of sick workers and families. These dedicated advocates would never dishonor the sick workers or their families, as Howie suggests. Federal officials have a long history of actions and statements that make us question the motives behind some policies.

The Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocacy Groups remains committed to working with the Department of Labor to improve the program, especially before any new rules changes to the program are implemented.

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 11:27 PM with the headline "Letter: Labor director’s criticism of sick worker advocates is unacceptable."