Two Buck Chuck to take price increase?

http://www.decanter.com/news/259278.html

Water ain't free baby!

http://www.decanter.com/news/259278.html

Water ain't free baby!

This tragedy has received a fair amount of press around here. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee yesterday, more farm workers die of heat-related causes than people from any other occupation. Looks like one of those situations where a high-profile death was needed to spur some changes.

http://www.decanter.com/news/259278.html

Water ain't free baby!

This tragedy has received a fair amount of press around here. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee yesterday, more farm workers die of heat-related causes than people from any other occupation. Looks like one of those situations where a high-profile death was needed to spur some changes.

Disgusting.

Water and shade are pretty easy to provide (a cooler of tap water and a tent are entirely portable and cost next to nothing), it's sad that people literally work themselves to death.

Does this also have a lot to do with the fact that most work is by the pound, so that taking breaks costs money?

Walt

Why do so many people automatically assume the business was the villain when something like this happens. Was the girl dressed for the weather? Was she wearing a hat? Did she take a water bottle into the vineyard with her? Did she make any effort to take responsibility for her own health? Maybe so, I don't know. But surely those questions have to be answered before assigning blame to her employer.

Does this also have a lot to do with the fact that most work is by the pound, so that taking breaks costs money?

I doubt pruning would be by the pound.

The original story

Why do so many people automatically assume the business was the villain when something like this happens. Was the girl dressed for the weather? Was she wearing a hat? Did she take a water bottle into the vineyard with her? Did she make any effort to take responsibility for her own health? Maybe so, I don't know. But surely those questions have to be answered before assigning blame to her employer.

Well, she was a minor (not to mention pregnant!) Perhaps they could've found something else for her to do.

Do you think it's reasonable to believe that the girl applied for a job pruning grape vines? Is it also reasonable to believe that being two months pregnant is not a physical disability? Some women might disagree on that point. Is it reasonable to suggest that it is not the employers responsibility to provide a job that might not contribute to the success of their business? The links provided by Cynthia and Bill suggest that there is nothing wrong or illegal with hiring minors. Cynthia's link says that the company in question has had problems in the past, but provides no direct link to this girl's death. What's your point?

Alan -

Are you arguing against blaming the employer for this specific incident or against the concept of employers having any responsibility for workplace safety? Given that the employer in this case had been cited for failing to provide proper education to their supervisors and given that the law requires water, shade, and break time to be provided, it seems likely that they did not provide a safe workplace as required by the law. (Or at least as far as one can tell from one newspaper story.) If you believe that the law has no place in assuring reasonable safety in the workplace, then I can understand your point. Otherwise, although the girl bears some responsibility for her actions, it would seem the employer shirked their legal duty.

I am arguing against blaming the employer in this specific incident without further evidence. "Seems likely" is hardly conclusive. I do not believe that the law has no place in ensuring reasonable workplace safety, but I also believe that workers share in that responsibility and should be held just as liable for failure to meet it. I object to the near-automatic response to blame the employer when situations such as this one arise and the also near-automatic indemnification of the worker involved. Sorry if I was unclear.

I see what you're saying. In the end, it will play out in court and that's all that really matters.