Nov 28, 2017

11/28/2017: How the "Radium Girls" paved the way for greater workplace safety

The radium paint, which glowed in the dark, was applied to instruments, dials and watch displays that were shipped off to pilots fighting in World War I. Heinz Dietrich Suppan/Handout

(U.S. Edition) Trump's choice to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has instituted a freeze on hiring and new rulemaking at the agency, despite questions over whether he's the rightful successor. The CFPB is the brainchild of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who stopped by to talk us about the controversy and the effectiveness of the agency. Afterwards, we'll speak to author Kate Moore about her book "Radium Girls," which looks at the terrible fates of women who worked at the U.S. Radium Corp. factory in New Jersey starting in 1917. Litigation they brought against the company ultimately led to greater workplace safety laws.

Segments From this episode

It's against the law for employers to make you sick. Thank the "Radium Girls" for that

by David Brancaccio and Katie Long

Nov 28, 2017

100 years ago, New Jersey factory workers fought to hold companies accountable for radium poisoning. Their battle led to our labor safety standards today.

The radium paint, which glowed in the dark, was applied to instruments, dials and watch displays that were shipped off to pilots fighting in World War I.

Heinz Dietrich Suppan/Handout

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Home prices rise much faster than wages and consumer prices

by Mitchell Hartman

Nov 28, 2017

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index hit a record high in August, and prices show no sign of moderating soon.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren: Trump has "no authority" to appoint interim CFPB boss

by David Brancaccio

Nov 28, 2017

The Massachusetts senator who helped set up the bureau says the president has "created a cloud" over it.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks during a Democratic Policy and Communications Committee hearing in the Capitol building on July 19, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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(U.S. Edition) Trump’s choice to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has instituted a freeze on hiring and new rulemaking at the agency, despite questions over whether he’s the rightful successor. The CFPB is the brainchild of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who stopped by to talk us about the controversy and the effectiveness of the agency. Afterwards, we’ll speak to author Kate Moore about her book “Radium Girls,” which looks at the terrible fates of women who worked at the U.S. Radium Corp. factory in New Jersey starting in 1917. Litigation they brought against the company ultimately led to greater workplace safety laws.