Mcwane
BACKGROUND
McWane, Inc. is a privately held company based in Birmingham, Ala., which owns plants across the country and Canada and who is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of cast iron sewer and water pipe (McWane Mess). From 1995-2003, McWane plants, in the U.S., had 4,600 worker injuries (CBC News). The company was also cited for more than 400 safety violations and 450 environmental violations during that same period (Barstow, Foundry). Tyler Pipe, one of McWane’s plants, was described by one its workers. He said it was “a dim, dirty, hellishly hot place where men are regularly disfigured by amputations and burns, where turnover is so high that convicts are recruited from local prisons, where some workers urinate in their pants because their bosses refuse to let them step away from the manufacturing line for even a few moments” (Barstow and Bergman, Texas). A federal investigation began in January 2003, which was the same month The New York Times published a series of articles that described McWane as one of the nation 's most persistent violators of workplace safety and environmental laws (Barstow, Foundry).
CAUSES
Root organizational causes and regulatory weakness factors contributed to the McWane scandal. The structure at McWane contributed to the scandal because it was one of the root organizational causes. McWane Inc. is a privately held organization where the family and a few close individuals run it. The family is described as secluded and very private (Barstow and Bergman, Family’s). Executives and family members repeatedly decline interview requests and rarely talk to the media (Barstow and Bergman, Family’s).
In 2007, of McWane’s twenty-five divisions, only two included McWane in the name (Wisniewski). Even though McWane’s divisions were places where the desperate seek work (Barstow and Bergman, Texas), society did not hold the right people accountable. Many individuals do not know McWane is connected because the plant names rarely reflect
McWane, Inc. is a privately held company based in Birmingham, Ala., which owns plants across the country and Canada and who is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of cast iron sewer and water pipe (McWane Mess). From 1995-2003, McWane plants, in the U.S., had 4,600 worker injuries (CBC News). The company was also cited for more than 400 safety violations and 450 environmental violations during that same period (Barstow, Foundry). Tyler Pipe, one of McWane’s plants, was described by one its workers. He said it was “a dim, dirty, hellishly hot place where men are regularly disfigured by amputations and burns, where turnover is so high that convicts are recruited from local prisons, where some workers urinate in their pants because their bosses refuse to let them step away from the manufacturing line for even a few moments” (Barstow and Bergman, Texas). A federal investigation began in January 2003, which was the same month The New York Times published a series of articles that described McWane as one of the nation 's most persistent violators of workplace safety and environmental laws (Barstow, Foundry).
CAUSES
Root organizational causes and regulatory weakness factors contributed to the McWane scandal. The structure at McWane contributed to the scandal because it was one of the root organizational causes. McWane Inc. is a privately held organization where the family and a few close individuals run it. The family is described as secluded and very private (Barstow and Bergman, Family’s). Executives and family members repeatedly decline interview requests and rarely talk to the media (Barstow and Bergman, Family’s).
In 2007, of McWane’s twenty-five divisions, only two included McWane in the name (Wisniewski). Even though McWane’s divisions were places where the desperate seek work (Barstow and Bergman, Texas), society did not hold the right people accountable. Many individuals do not know McWane is connected because the plant names rarely reflect
Cited: Barstow, David, and Lowell Bergman. "At a Texas Foundry, an Indifference to Life." The New York Times 8 Jan. 2003. Print. Barstow, David, and Lowell Bergman Barstow, David, and Lowell Bergman. "Family 's Profits, Wrung From Blood and Sweat." The New York Times 9 Jan. 2003. Print. Barstow, David "CBC News: The Fifth Estate - A Toxic Company - The Canadian Connection." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 8 Jan. 2003. Web. McGarity, Thomas, Rena Steinzor, Sidney Shapiro, and Matthew Shudtz "The McWane Mess." ISHN Magazine. BNP Media, 11 Feb. 2010. Web. "United States v