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I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related

 
phrenology101
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02/19/2012 12:39 AM
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I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
In March of 2009 my aunt and I took jobs as housekeepers/condo cleaners for Meyer Real Estate in Gulf Shores, Alabama, one of the largest vacation property management companies in the United States. We had no experience in housekeeping. Prior to this, we had a vintage clothing business for many years which we had to close because we were no longer making a profit due to the economy. We both have college educations and my aunt has 20+ years experience in retail management, but this was the only job we could find. We took the jobs out of desperation...and because we were told in our orientation that we would make at least $16-18 dollars an hour.

Over the course of the next year, we would scrub 3,100 toilets, make approximately 6,000 beds and scrape dried spaghetti and shrimp shells from 1,200 kitchens. Most of the time we made less than minimum wage, sometimes working over 80 hours a week. Meyer also subjected their housekeepers to safety hazards. But we were warned by everyone there, including a field supervisor, to keep our mouths shut and not complain, or we would be fired.

In the early spring of 2010, we made a startling discovery- management was fraudulently altering time records to avoid paying overtime. We called the Wage and Hour Board and reported this, but rather than forcing them to pay their employees the money owed, Mr.Anthony Jacobs of the W&H Board's Mobile, AL office helped them devise a scheme to avoid paying their employees overtime wages. Meyer did, however, write checks for some of the overtime backpay- this multi-million dollar company cheated one housekeeper(a woman with a disabled child in a wheelchair) out of over $50,000 in overtime wages over a three-year period...they gave her a check for less than $500. But this was just the beginning.

April 20, 2010- the date of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill- changed everything here on the Gulf of Mexico. I won't go on and on about it...you all know the basic, sanitized version of what happened. What you may or may not know is that over 200 million gallons of oil was released into the Gulf. 2 million gallons of highly toxic Corexit dispersant was sprayed and sank most of that oil. We had dead baby dolphins covered in oil washing up on the shore here, but that managed to stay out of the national media. The citizens of this area and those doing clean up work were exposed to these toxins...people have died, and many are sick.

While many of the oil spill clean-up workers had advocates fighting for their safety and rights, there was one group which was neglected- the housekeepers who cleaned up the condominiums and beach front houses. As housekeepers for Meyer Real Estate, we were forced to clean up oil and dispersant soaked debris from around these beach houses. We had to clean up the tar balls the guests would drag in. We were instructed to clean it up with Dawn and bleach(according to the MSDS for Corexit on OSHA's website, it is hazardous to mix Corexit and bleach). We also had to clean the rust-colored Corexit residue on the exterior patio doors. Housekeepers started having upper respiratory problems, including my aunt. Both of my ear got infected(this was fairly common symptom) and one of them ruptured. But as Meyer housekeepers, we didn't have health insurance, and most of us went without medical treatment.

I called OSHA in late August of 2010 and filed a complaint. I told the agent I was concerned I might get fired for making the report, but he was very reassuring and told me if that happened, they wouldn't get away with it. A few weeks later, My aunt and I were terminated from our jobs at Meyer Real Estate.

But now, over a year later, what has happened? NOTHING! The investigation for wrongful termination under the Whistleblower Protection Act is still ongoing. OSHA has mishandled it from day one and I just don't know what to do. I can't even find a lawyer around here because every one I call says they can't take the case because it would be a conflict of interest. Meyer is a powerful and corrupt company...everyone is scared of them.

So, I'm posting this just to get the word out, and because I'm hoping some of you might have advice on what I can do about this situation. Sorry for the rant...I know it's not very coherent or well-written, but I am so sick of thinking and talking about this that I can't think straight. So, thanks for taking the time to read it.
phrenology101
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02/19/2012 12:56 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
This sounds terrible. Have you thought about getting in touch with a news channel or Oprah or someone like that?

Maybe you could get all the cleaners to get together and thrash out how to approach it?

I wish you the best.
Occams Taser

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02/19/2012 12:58 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
bsflag
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02/19/2012 12:58 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
I feel some, but not all of what you are saying.

I worked for Indian-meaning asian employers in a hotel in Iowa of all places, making $3.30 per room that I cleaned.

When he couldn't keep employees and they wuit, left an right, he had to raise pay to minimum wage.

I finally left after just about 2-3 mos and heard he had illegal Indian immigrants who are still and now live ins, getting paid $3.30 per room that they clean.



So, sorry you are going through this, recompense will come your way sooner or later.
Anonymous Coward
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02/19/2012 01:05 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
This can't be possible.

People always said to me, "BetterBuisinessBureau better tell the BBB."

They have to be able to do something about it, right?
phrenology101  (OP)

User ID: 9130879
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02/19/2012 01:08 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
This sounds terrible. Have you thought about getting in touch with a news channel or Oprah or someone like that?

Maybe you could get all the cleaners to get together and thrash out how to approach it?

I wish you the best.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1408355


The local media wouldn't dare go up against this company. It would have to be a reporter from outside the area...i just don't know who. The housekeepers who still work there are terrified they will lose their job if they do or say anything...and they have a good reason to be afraid.
phrenology101
Don Juan
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02/19/2012 01:09 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
I feel for you. I was staying in one of the condos on the gulf when this happened. Two weeks into the spill I was feeling sick and made plans to leave the next day. That night I left all the doors and windows open to enjoy possibly my last time on the gulf. There was a nice breeze coming in from the gulf and I slept fitfully. The next morning when I got up to leave, my head was spinning , heart palpitating and trouble breathing. My prostate blew out somewhere in Mississippi and I had to stop at a motel. I did not even have the energy to pick up a road map! Then I started bleeding out the anus....that will scare you, for sure. It took me about a year to recover in the mountains of North Carolina. Without a doubt it was the corexit poisoning. All I can say is, "that which does not kill me makes me stronger".
I am blind in my left eye because of this shit and I too am thoroughly pissed. BP has paid off topless dancers and tattoo shops, but has paid out little or nothing for the damage to the health of the folks on the gulf coast. Now they are running commercials all over the country portraying them as 'good neighbors'.
Fuck Meyer Realty Vacation Rentals, Fuck BP and most of all Fuck all politicians.
PS I did not leave any shrimp shells or dried spaghetti in the condo when I left. I did clean the place up the night before. Try natural suppliments . Oil of garlic, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Magnesium seem to help. Bless you.
stillhere

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02/19/2012 01:11 AM

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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
This is sad, but happens every day around the world. If you fight for whatw is right you might lose more than you already have. Do you have children?

Did you document everything you say? Only you can decide what to do. Just because you are in the right does not mean you will win. Might be wise.to cut your losses and move on. hf
"You can bend it and twist it... You can misuse and abuse it... But even God cannot change the Truth.”
Michael Levy
Occams Taser

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02/19/2012 01:11 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
The local media wouldn't dare go up against this company. It would have to be a reporter from outside the area...i just don't know who. The housekeepers who still work there are terrified they will lose their job if they do or say anything...and they have a good reason to be afraid.
 Quoting: phrenology101


The media wouldn't go against the company? If you have factual evidence that backs up everything you said without a shred of doubt, any media anywhere is going to jump at the chance to bury a major company and bring their organization validity and superior standing amongst their rivals.

Last Edited by Occams Taser on 02/19/2012 01:12 AM
phrenology101  (OP)

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02/19/2012 01:12 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
This can't be possible.

People always said to me, "BetterBuisinessBureau better tell the BBB."

They have to be able to do something about it, right?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 10417993


In a normal part of the country this would be the case. But this is lower Alabama we're talking about. Baldwin County is Alabama's only county on the Gulf Coast. Because of the 40 miles of beachfront here, there is A LOT of money floating around...lots of tax dollars...lots of dirty, good-ol'boy backroom deals, etc. and this is the tip of the iceberg. this is the most corrupt place i've ever seen.
phrenology101
phrenology101  (OP)

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02/19/2012 01:13 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
The local media wouldn't dare go up against this company. It would have to be a reporter from outside the area...i just don't know who. The housekeepers who still work there are terrified they will lose their job if they do or say anything...and they have a good reason to be afraid.
 Quoting: phrenology101


The media wouldn't go against the company? If you have factual evidence that backs up everything you said without a shred of doubt, any media anywhere is going to jump at the chance to bury a major company and bring their organization validity and superior standing amongst their rivals.
 Quoting: Occams Taser


There is only one news station here.
phrenology101
Occams Taser

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02/19/2012 01:16 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
The local media wouldn't dare go up against this company. It would have to be a reporter from outside the area...i just don't know who. The housekeepers who still work there are terrified they will lose their job if they do or say anything...and they have a good reason to be afraid.
 Quoting: phrenology101


The media wouldn't go against the company? If you have factual evidence that backs up everything you said without a shred of doubt, any media anywhere is going to jump at the chance to bury a major company and bring their organization validity and superior standing amongst their rivals.
 Quoting: Occams Taser


There is only one news station here.
 Quoting: phrenology101


Yeah, which is why I said ANY media outlet is going to jump over it. Send your story to CNN if it's true. Hell, send it to FOX News. Ok, maybe not Fox News, but you get the point. IF you can back it up with facts, aim high and get the right media outlet involved.
phrenology101  (OP)

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02/19/2012 01:17 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
I feel for you. I was staying in one of the condos on the gulf when this happened. Two weeks into the spill I was feeling sick and made plans to leave the next day. That night I left all the doors and windows open to enjoy possibly my last time on the gulf. There was a nice breeze coming in from the gulf and I slept fitfully. The next morning when I got up to leave, my head was spinning , heart palpitating and trouble breathing. My prostate blew out somewhere in Mississippi and I had to stop at a motel. I did not even have the energy to pick up a road map! Then I started bleeding out the anus....that will scare you, for sure. It took me about a year to recover in the mountains of North Carolina. Without a doubt it was the corexit poisoning. All I can say is, "that which does not kill me makes me stronger".
I am blind in my left eye because of this shit and I too am thoroughly pissed. BP has paid off topless dancers and tattoo shops, but has paid out little or nothing for the damage to the health of the folks on the gulf coast. Now they are running commercials all over the country portraying them as 'good neighbors'.
Fuck Meyer Realty Vacation Rentals, Fuck BP and most of all Fuck all politicians.
PS I did not leave any shrimp shells or dried spaghetti in the condo when I left. I did clean the place up the night before. Try natural suppliments . Oil of garlic, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Magnesium seem to help. Bless you.
 Quoting: Don Juan 10516049


Thank you, Don Juan:):hf:
phrenology101
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02/19/2012 01:20 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
In March of 2009 my aunt and I took jobs as housekeepers/condo cleaners for Meyer Real Estate in Gulf Shores, Alabama, one of the largest vacation property management companies in the United States. We had no experience in housekeeping. Prior to this, we had a vintage clothing business for many years which we had to close because we were no longer making a profit due to the economy. We both have college educations and my aunt has 20+ years experience in retail management, but this was the only job we could find. We took the jobs out of desperation...and because we were told in our orientation that we would make at least $16-18 dollars an hour.

Over the course of the next year, we would scrub 3,100 toilets, make approximately 6,000 beds and scrape dried spaghetti and shrimp shells from 1,200 kitchens. Most of the time we made less than minimum wage, sometimes working over 80 hours a week. Meyer also subjected their housekeepers to safety hazards. But we were warned by everyone there, including a field supervisor, to keep our mouths shut and not complain, or we would be fired.

In the early spring of 2010, we made a startling discovery- management was fraudulently altering time records to avoid paying overtime. We called the Wage and Hour Board and reported this, but rather than forcing them to pay their employees the money owed, Mr.Anthony Jacobs of the W&H Board's Mobile, AL office helped them devise a scheme to avoid paying their employees overtime wages. Meyer did, however, write checks for some of the overtime backpay- this multi-million dollar company cheated one housekeeper(a woman with a disabled child in a wheelchair) out of over $50,000 in overtime wages over a three-year period...they gave her a check for less than $500. But this was just the beginning.

April 20, 2010- the date of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill- changed everything here on the Gulf of Mexico. I won't go on and on about it...you all know the basic, sanitized version of what happened. What you may or may not know is that over 200 million gallons of oil was released into the Gulf. 2 million gallons of highly toxic Corexit dispersant was sprayed and sank most of that oil. We had dead baby dolphins covered in oil washing up on the shore here, but that managed to stay out of the national media. The citizens of this area and those doing clean up work were exposed to these toxins...people have died, and many are sick.

While many of the oil spill clean-up workers had advocates fighting for their safety and rights, there was one group which was neglected- the housekeepers who cleaned up the condominiums and beach front houses. As housekeepers for Meyer Real Estate, we were forced to clean up oil and dispersant soaked debris from around these beach houses. We had to clean up the tar balls the guests would drag in. We were instructed to clean it up with Dawn and bleach(according to the MSDS for Corexit on OSHA's website, it is hazardous to mix Corexit and bleach). We also had to clean the rust-colored Corexit residue on the exterior patio doors. Housekeepers started having upper respiratory problems, including my aunt. Both of my ear got infected(this was fairly common symptom) and one of them ruptured. But as Meyer housekeepers, we didn't have health insurance, and most of us went without medical treatment.

I called OSHA in late August of 2010 and filed a complaint. I told the agent I was concerned I might get fired for making the report, but he was very reassuring and told me if that happened, they wouldn't get away with it. A few weeks later, My aunt and I were terminated from our jobs at Meyer Real Estate.

But now, over a year later, what has happened? NOTHING! The investigation for wrongful termination under the Whistleblower Protection Act is still ongoing. OSHA has mishandled it from day one and I just don't know what to do. I can't even find a lawyer around here because every one I call says they can't take the case because it would be a conflict of interest. Meyer is a powerful and corrupt company...everyone is scared of them.

So, I'm posting this just to get the word out, and because I'm hoping some of you might have advice on what I can do about this situation. Sorry for the rant...I know it's not very coherent or well-written, but I am so sick of thinking and talking about this that I can't think straight. So, thanks for taking the time to read it.
 Quoting: phrenology101


my advice is to try and get this information to kevin costner. He at one point had a company that was going to go down and install some things to stop the oil flow and had an interest in this. He MAY be able to get some powerfull peoples ear.. He is a good church going guy.
phrenology101  (OP)

User ID: 9130879
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02/19/2012 01:22 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
This is sad, but happens every day around the world. If you fight for whatw is right you might lose more than you already have. Do you have children?

Did you document everything you say? Only you can decide what to do. Just because you are in the right does not mean you will win. Might be wise.to cut your losses and move on. hf
 Quoting: stillhere


I know it happens all over the world, all the time. The reason I chose to stay and fight was because it affects so many people other than me. The other ladies who work at Meyer weren't in a position to stand up to them because most of them have dead-beat husbands and/or children to support. I have neither. It's not just Meyer. There is labor trafficking going on in this area. Meyer, or rather, their commercial laundry- Starr Textiles- participates in this, but they are not the ring leader...that would be Shaul Zislin.
phrenology101
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02/19/2012 01:24 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
This can't be possible.

People always said to me, "BetterBuisinessBureau better tell the BBB."

They have to be able to do something about it, right?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 10417993


In a normal part of the country this would be the case. But this is lower Alabama we're talking about. Baldwin County is Alabama's only county on the Gulf Coast. Because of the 40 miles of beachfront here, there is A LOT of money floating around...lots of tax dollars...lots of dirty, good-ol'boy backroom deals, etc. and this is the tip of the iceberg. this is the most corrupt place i've ever seen.
 Quoting: phrenology101


Oh shit..

We have the "good ole boy" system dying out here.

East Coast, below DC.

Hope you can get your message out somehow.

Someone has to listen.
phrenology101  (OP)

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02/19/2012 01:25 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
In March of 2009 my aunt and I took jobs as housekeepers/condo cleaners for Meyer Real Estate in Gulf Shores, Alabama, one of the largest vacation property management companies in the United States. We had no experience in housekeeping. Prior to this, we had a vintage clothing business for many years which we had to close because we were no longer making a profit due to the economy. We both have college educations and my aunt has 20+ years experience in retail management, but this was the only job we could find. We took the jobs out of desperation...and because we were told in our orientation that we would make at least $16-18 dollars an hour.

Over the course of the next year, we would scrub 3,100 toilets, make approximately 6,000 beds and scrape dried spaghetti and shrimp shells from 1,200 kitchens. Most of the time we made less than minimum wage, sometimes working over 80 hours a week. Meyer also subjected their housekeepers to safety hazards. But we were warned by everyone there, including a field supervisor, to keep our mouths shut and not complain, or we would be fired.

In the early spring of 2010, we made a startling discovery- management was fraudulently altering time records to avoid paying overtime. We called the Wage and Hour Board and reported this, but rather than forcing them to pay their employees the money owed, Mr.Anthony Jacobs of the W&H Board's Mobile, AL office helped them devise a scheme to avoid paying their employees overtime wages. Meyer did, however, write checks for some of the overtime backpay- this multi-million dollar company cheated one housekeeper(a woman with a disabled child in a wheelchair) out of over $50,000 in overtime wages over a three-year period...they gave her a check for less than $500. But this was just the beginning.

April 20, 2010- the date of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill- changed everything here on the Gulf of Mexico. I won't go on and on about it...you all know the basic, sanitized version of what happened. What you may or may not know is that over 200 million gallons of oil was released into the Gulf. 2 million gallons of highly toxic Corexit dispersant was sprayed and sank most of that oil. We had dead baby dolphins covered in oil washing up on the shore here, but that managed to stay out of the national media. The citizens of this area and those doing clean up work were exposed to these toxins...people have died, and many are sick.

While many of the oil spill clean-up workers had advocates fighting for their safety and rights, there was one group which was neglected- the housekeepers who cleaned up the condominiums and beach front houses. As housekeepers for Meyer Real Estate, we were forced to clean up oil and dispersant soaked debris from around these beach houses. We had to clean up the tar balls the guests would drag in. We were instructed to clean it up with Dawn and bleach(according to the MSDS for Corexit on OSHA's website, it is hazardous to mix Corexit and bleach). We also had to clean the rust-colored Corexit residue on the exterior patio doors. Housekeepers started having upper respiratory problems, including my aunt. Both of my ear got infected(this was fairly common symptom) and one of them ruptured. But as Meyer housekeepers, we didn't have health insurance, and most of us went without medical treatment.

I called OSHA in late August of 2010 and filed a complaint. I told the agent I was concerned I might get fired for making the report, but he was very reassuring and told me if that happened, they wouldn't get away with it. A few weeks later, My aunt and I were terminated from our jobs at Meyer Real Estate.

But now, over a year later, what has happened? NOTHING! The investigation for wrongful termination under the Whistleblower Protection Act is still ongoing. OSHA has mishandled it from day one and I just don't know what to do. I can't even find a lawyer around here because every one I call says they can't take the case because it would be a conflict of interest. Meyer is a powerful and corrupt company...everyone is scared of them.

So, I'm posting this just to get the word out, and because I'm hoping some of you might have advice on what I can do about this situation. Sorry for the rant...I know it's not very coherent or well-written, but I am so sick of thinking and talking about this that I can't think straight. So, thanks for taking the time to read it.
 Quoting: phrenology101


my advice is to try and get this information to kevin costner. He at one point had a company that was going to go down and install some things to stop the oil flow and had an interest in this. He MAY be able to get some powerfull peoples ear.. He is a good church going guy.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7843669



kinda funny you mentioned kevin costner...my aunt is watching "the bodyguard" on tv right now.
phrenology101
Don Juan
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02/19/2012 01:27 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
The news media, Oprah et al, are Owned by the status quo. No help coming there.
Update: I was in Panama City recently and spoke with a deep sea diver. He said that there is a humongous glob like vaseline under the offsea waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Obviously, the corexit worked to glom onto the oil and sink it and hide it.
What a sick , greedy world we live in.
Anonymous Coward
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Australia
02/19/2012 01:28 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
This sounds terrible. Have you thought about getting in touch with a news channel or Oprah or someone like that?

Maybe you could get all the cleaners to get together and thrash out how to approach it?

I wish you the best.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1408355


The local media wouldn't dare go up against this company. It would have to be a reporter from outside the area...i just don't know who. The housekeepers who still work there are terrified they will lose their job if they do or say anything...and they have a good reason to be afraid.
 Quoting: phrenology101



I just found a few others who have made videos on youtube. Maybe get in contact with some of them? Get in touch with Dr Phil, Oprah - try them all. You need to band together and get this out there. On youtube it says people have already died. wtf

I feel so very sorry for you all. This is terrible - all the animals, Dolphins etc too. If the housekeepers are scared to lose their jobs then you need to keep all your documentation - like the other poster said, and get in touch with others in the same situation. There seems to be a lot starting to cry out for help.

I am so very sorry. You need to fight and it seems others need your help too.
Anonymous Coward
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02/19/2012 01:31 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
The news media, Oprah et al, are Owned by the status quo. No help coming there.
Update: I was in Panama City recently and spoke with a deep sea diver. He said that there is a humongous glob like vaseline under the offsea waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Obviously, the corexit worked to glom onto the oil and sink it and hide it.
What a sick , greedy world we live in.
 Quoting: Don Juan 10516049


Thanks Don Juan I didn't know that. There has to be somebody though? Over here it is always shown that Oprah helps everyone. I should have known.
Baldrick

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02/19/2012 01:31 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
This is sad, but happens every day around the world. If you fight for whatw is right you might lose more than you already have. Do you have children?

Did you document everything you say? Only you can decide what to do. Just because you are in the right does not mean you will win. Might be wise.to cut your losses and move on. hf
 Quoting: stillhere


I know it happens all over the world, all the time. The reason I chose to stay and fight was because it affects so many people other than me. The other ladies who work at Meyer weren't in a position to stand up to them because most of them have dead-beat husbands and/or children to support. I have neither. It's not just Meyer. There is labor trafficking going on in this area. Meyer, or rather, their commercial laundry- Starr Textiles- participates in this, but they are not the ring leader...that would be Shaul Zislin.
 Quoting: phrenology101

Think Erin Brokinin (sp)

She was able to win because she got some good ol boys inline as part of their agenda.

NOTHING is cut and dried, and if yuo think it is you will lose.

If you want to win, be prepared to play dirty.

You will have to trump (blackmail) your way to a support base which will in turn trump your opposition in order for a win.

Forget your ideals of justice. You will simply break yourself again and again if you don't.
Blackadder: Baldrick, how did you manage to find a turnip that cost £400 000?
Baldrick: Well, I had to haggle.
Anonymous Coward
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02/19/2012 01:31 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
In March of 2009 my aunt and I took jobs as housekeepers/condo cleaners for Meyer Real Estate in Gulf Shores, Alabama, one of the largest vacation property management companies in the United States. We had no experience in housekeeping. Prior to this, we had a vintage clothing business for many years which we had to close because we were no longer making a profit due to the economy. We both have college educations and my aunt has 20+ years experience in retail management, but this was the only job we could find. We took the jobs out of desperation...and because we were told in our orientation that we would make at least $16-18 dollars an hour.

Over the course of the next year, we would scrub 3,100 toilets, make approximately 6,000 beds and scrape dried spaghetti and shrimp shells from 1,200 kitchens. Most of the time we made less than minimum wage, sometimes working over 80 hours a week. Meyer also subjected their housekeepers to safety hazards. But we were warned by everyone there, including a field supervisor, to keep our mouths shut and not complain, or we would be fired.

In the early spring of 2010, we made a startling discovery- management was fraudulently altering time records to avoid paying overtime. We called the Wage and Hour Board and reported this, but rather than forcing them to pay their employees the money owed, Mr.Anthony Jacobs of the W&H Board's Mobile, AL office helped them devise a scheme to avoid paying their employees overtime wages. Meyer did, however, write checks for some of the overtime backpay- this multi-million dollar company cheated one housekeeper(a woman with a disabled child in a wheelchair) out of over $50,000 in overtime wages over a three-year period...they gave her a check for less than $500. But this was just the beginning.

April 20, 2010- the date of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill- changed everything here on the Gulf of Mexico. I won't go on and on about it...you all know the basic, sanitized version of what happened. What you may or may not know is that over 200 million gallons of oil was released into the Gulf. 2 million gallons of highly toxic Corexit dispersant was sprayed and sank most of that oil. We had dead baby dolphins covered in oil washing up on the shore here, but that managed to stay out of the national media. The citizens of this area and those doing clean up work were exposed to these toxins...people have died, and many are sick.

While many of the oil spill clean-up workers had advocates fighting for their safety and rights, there was one group which was neglected- the housekeepers who cleaned up the condominiums and beach front houses. As housekeepers for Meyer Real Estate, we were forced to clean up oil and dispersant soaked debris from around these beach houses. We had to clean up the tar balls the guests would drag in. We were instructed to clean it up with Dawn and bleach(according to the MSDS for Corexit on OSHA's website, it is hazardous to mix Corexit and bleach). We also had to clean the rust-colored Corexit residue on the exterior patio doors. Housekeepers started having upper respiratory problems, including my aunt. Both of my ear got infected(this was fairly common symptom) and one of them ruptured. But as Meyer housekeepers, we didn't have health insurance, and most of us went without medical treatment.

I called OSHA in late August of 2010 and filed a complaint. I told the agent I was concerned I might get fired for making the report, but he was very reassuring and told me if that happened, they wouldn't get away with it. A few weeks later, My aunt and I were terminated from our jobs at Meyer Real Estate.

But now, over a year later, what has happened? NOTHING! The investigation for wrongful termination under the Whistleblower Protection Act is still ongoing. OSHA has mishandled it from day one and I just don't know what to do. I can't even find a lawyer around here because every one I call says they can't take the case because it would be a conflict of interest. Meyer is a powerful and corrupt company...everyone is scared of them.

So, I'm posting this just to get the word out, and because I'm hoping some of you might have advice on what I can do about this situation. Sorry for the rant...I know it's not very coherent or well-written, but I am so sick of thinking and talking about this that I can't think straight. So, thanks for taking the time to read it.
 Quoting: phrenology101


my advice is to try and get this information to kevin costner. He at one point had a company that was going to go down and install some things to stop the oil flow and had an interest in this. He MAY be able to get some powerfull peoples ear.. He is a good church going guy.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7843669



kinda funny you mentioned kevin costner...my aunt is watching "the bodyguard" on tv right now.
 Quoting: phrenology101


This is more than coincidance.. I was just watching his eulogy for whitney just when I read this post and it made me think of his company.. god at work here.. Get HIM!
phrenology101  (OP)

User ID: 9130879
United States
02/19/2012 01:40 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
The news media, Oprah et al, are Owned by the status quo. No help coming there.
Update: I was in Panama City recently and spoke with a deep sea diver. He said that there is a humongous glob like vaseline under the offsea waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Obviously, the corexit worked to glom onto the oil and sink it and hide it.
What a sick , greedy world we live in.
 Quoting: Don Juan 10516049


this is absolutely true...and tar balls wash up EVERYDAY here. they sank the oil because the local politicians and powers that be cared more about tourism money than people's health. the smart thing would have been to let the oil wash ashore and then collect and dispose of it. most of it is still out there.
phrenology101
phrenology101  (OP)

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02/19/2012 01:42 AM
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 Quoting: phrenology101


my advice is to try and get this information to kevin costner. He at one point had a company that was going to go down and install some things to stop the oil flow and had an interest in this. He MAY be able to get some powerfull peoples ear.. He is a good church going guy.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7843669



kinda funny you mentioned kevin costner...my aunt is watching "the bodyguard" on tv right now.
 Quoting: phrenology101


This is more than coincidance.. I was just watching his eulogy for whitney just when I read this post and it made me think of his company.. god at work here.. Get HIM!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7843669


there are no coincidences;)
phrenology101
Anonymous Coward
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Czechia
02/19/2012 01:44 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
This sounds terrible. Have you thought about getting in touch with a news channel or Oprah or someone like that?

Maybe you could get all the cleaners to get together and thrash out how to approach it?

I wish you the best.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1408355


Yeah. Good idea. I think your best chance would be to attract negative publicity to those responsible.

Then they would be forced to settle your case out o fear of public backlash.

It's a numbers game when you are up against TPTB so you need the public behind you.
Don Juan
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02/19/2012 01:48 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
Hey kid, the best advice I can offer is to cut your losses and give it up. This kind of thing can eat on you and suck your energy. Forget the nonsense of the local media or Oprah or a big movie star. Just write it off, like I did and move along. Just remember that "time wounds all heels". These assholes will get theirs eventually.
Onward and upward and do not look back. Put a smile on your face, stand up straight and move on to a new adventure. Best of luck, kiddo.
Anonymous Coward
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Australia
02/19/2012 01:51 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
i sometimes wonder how its all going over ther...i have spoken to folks over here about the corexit and on going propblems and some people say to me * if it was still a problem , it would be on the news*

?????

and thats how you and I get here
Anonymous Coward
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02/19/2012 01:52 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
...


my advice is to try and get this information to kevin costner. He at one point had a company that was going to go down and install some things to stop the oil flow and had an interest in this. He MAY be able to get some powerfull peoples ear.. He is a good church going guy.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7843669



kinda funny you mentioned kevin costner...my aunt is watching "the bodyguard" on tv right now.
 Quoting: phrenology101


This is more than coincidance.. I was just watching his eulogy for whitney just when I read this post and it made me think of his company.. god at work here.. Get HIM!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7843669


there are no coincidences;)
 Quoting: phrenology101


just hit me.

he has a band.. mabey you can get in touch with his management with his band.. fingers crossed.
phrenology101  (OP)

User ID: 9130879
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02/19/2012 01:53 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
well the question i would ask is, have you learned anything? how does it make you feel when money becomes god? right and wrong come down to a dollar figure/

just wait until china runs the world, that godless bunch will shot you if you cause a fuss and they will do it in front of everyone to prove a point.

what is worse than that, is our every leaders sold us out right in front of our faces. as long as they go to the big house at night and the summer get away's, all is well.

the funniest thing is, have one of these guys come riding up in a limo, the camera (media) crews are there and all the little people are wowing them, as if they are great or something. these guys are ruthless and the people love them?

same with the mafia shows, they get top rating, as if the people think it's cool to be murders and rapest.. i cant make heads or tails of this place.

what is good? what is bad? does anyone know? is money the bottom line?


WELL I SAY NO! JUSTICE IS FIXING TO RAISE IT'S PRETTY HEAD. the whole world will know. it's judgement day!


roll the stone away...

and these anti god folks, man it does not get any nuttier.

praise GOD, he is coming to town...soon

the big car, the house on the hill, even the bunker freaks, the elite will in-tomb themselves. let the games begin.

sorry to hear about your problems sir, hope the best for you. get on the right team now, while you still can. praying for you, yea i know, they will laugh at me, that's ok too...
 Quoting: chipg


have i learned anything? absolutely. scrubbing toilets for a living taught me humility. i know, however, the holy spirit placed me there for a reason. seeing the way a company like that could treat their employees...it's disgusting. money is the bottom line for most people here. the local government and big business owners sold their soul to the devil after hurricane ivan. gulf shores is now owned by russians.
phrenology101
Baldrick

User ID: 11072268
Australia
02/19/2012 01:54 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
...


my advice is to try and get this information to kevin costner. He at one point had a company that was going to go down and install some things to stop the oil flow and had an interest in this. He MAY be able to get some powerfull peoples ear.. He is a good church going guy.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7843669



kinda funny you mentioned kevin costner...my aunt is watching "the bodyguard" on tv right now.
 Quoting: phrenology101


This is more than coincidance.. I was just watching his eulogy for whitney just when I read this post and it made me think of his company.. god at work here.. Get HIM!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7843669


there are no coincidences;)
 Quoting: phrenology101


FFS Kevin Costners spinners were a complete failure.

1st, it needs a surface spill to be effective.

2nd The spinners capacity was nowhere near what was needed to address the issue.

3rd Costner knew it.

4th Costner sold out himself and the tech so the BP execs could present a solution.

OP, you are screwed. Until you change your mindset about what is going on.

To the aussie poster here saying contact Oprah or Dr Phil. Yeah, real big hitters there mate.

They are sedatives for the sheep and nothing more.

OP, you didn't educate yourself on what it was you were doing. Not entirely your fault, but it is the achilles heel of the sheeple.

You have woken up, but too late.

Instead of wasting your time in a vain attempt to bring the perpetrators to justice, spend your time seeking ways to heal yourself. Only use a doctor as a gauge.

Oprah. Sheesh.
Blackadder: Baldrick, how did you manage to find a turnip that cost £400 000?
Baldrick: Well, I had to haggle.
Anonymous Coward
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02/19/2012 01:55 AM
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Re: I am a whistleblower. OSHA is mishandling my case because it's Gulf oil spill related
The local media wouldn't dare go up against this company. It would have to be a reporter from outside the area...i just don't know who. The housekeepers who still work there are terrified they will lose their job if they do or say anything...and they have a good reason to be afraid.
 Quoting: phrenology101


The media wouldn't go against the company? If you have factual evidence that backs up everything you said without a shred of doubt, any media anywhere is going to jump at the chance to bury a major company and bring their organization validity and superior standing amongst their rivals.
 Quoting: Occams Taser


Lies...

Look at the document conspiracy of silence ot mansantos





GLP