Debbie Berkowitz
@debbieberkowitz.bsky.social
Worker safety policy expert. Former OSHA COS and Senior Policy Advisor 2009-2015. Fellow at Georgetown’s Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor.
Workplace Inspections by OSHA Dropped Over a Six-Month Period of 2025 www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/u...
Workplace Inspections by OSHA Dropped Over a Six-Month Period of 2025
www.nytimes.com
February 18, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Workplace Inspections by OSHA Dropped Over a Six-Month Period of 2025 www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/u...
Endangering our children is not an answer to labor shortage. Where is the safety data that says these jobs are safe for kids?
Making child labor great again.
Florida AG James Uthmeier: "We need to focus on getting people into the workforce even earlier. We passed legislation last year to help high school students get their hands dirty and get on job sites more quickly."
February 17, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Endangering our children is not an answer to labor shortage. Where is the safety data that says these jobs are safe for kids?
A travesty.
Feds "Clear" Nevada #OSHA for withdrawing citations against Elon Musk's Boring company.
But they fail to even investigate illegal or unethical pressure by Governor's to drop citations after meeting with Musk's people.
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
But they fail to even investigate illegal or unethical pressure by Governor's to drop citations after meeting with Musk's people.
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Feds "Clear" Nevada OSHA of Favoring Musk Company. But Who Will Clear the Feds? - Confined Space
Federal OSHA investigation gives Nevada OSHA a clean bill of health for dropping citations against Elon Musk's Boring Company. But someone needs to investigate the investigators
jordanbarab.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:33 PM
A travesty.
This was totally against every policy enshrined in how OSHA is to operate to assure enforcement is based on evidence and not political pressure - Federal OSHA dismissed the citation without investigating whether the violation existed. All to bow to the billionaire class. Thanks for writing this.
February 16, 2026 at 4:06 PM
This was totally against every policy enshrined in how OSHA is to operate to assure enforcement is based on evidence and not political pressure - Federal OSHA dismissed the citation without investigating whether the violation existed. All to bow to the billionaire class. Thanks for writing this.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
And in related news…
February 14, 2026 at 3:45 PM
And in related news…
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
The vast majority of voters support the policies to restrict and restrain ICE that Democrats are demanding, and voters blame Republicans for the shutdown because of their unwillingness to support these essential changes.
February 13, 2026 at 8:40 PM
The vast majority of voters support the policies to restrict and restrain ICE that Democrats are demanding, and voters blame Republicans for the shutdown because of their unwillingness to support these essential changes.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
February 13, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Jonathan V Last: "In 2023, the economy added 3 million jobs. In 2024, still under Biden, it added 2.2 million jobs. In 2025, under Trump, it added just 181,000 jobs. This is a story about an economy getting throttled by one man's capricious, destructive governance."
Shock Poll: Americans Miss Joe Biden’s Economy
Here’s what they’re worried about.
open.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Jonathan V Last: "In 2023, the economy added 3 million jobs. In 2024, still under Biden, it added 2.2 million jobs. In 2025, under Trump, it added just 181,000 jobs. This is a story about an economy getting throttled by one man's capricious, destructive governance."
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Career communications staff at the Dept of Labor were ignored and many resigned when a 21 year old starting posting white nationalist meme. Now he is going to DHS. This is who prospers under the clicktatorship.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
Homeland Security Hires Labor Dept. Aide Whose Posts Raised Alarms
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Career communications staff at the Dept of Labor were ignored and many resigned when a 21 year old starting posting white nationalist meme. Now he is going to DHS. This is who prospers under the clicktatorship.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
The Department of Labor's Inspector General warns that #OSHA enforcement staff is at an all-time low, threatening the health and lives of American workers. jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
OSHA Enforcement Staff at Record Low: Inspector General - Confined Space
The DOL Inspector General has issued a report outlining serious challenges for OSHA and MSHA. Neither agency has enough inspectors.
jordanbarab.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:04 PM
The Department of Labor's Inspector General warns that #OSHA enforcement staff is at an all-time low, threatening the health and lives of American workers. jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Trump's friend, Larry Ellison, is censoring TikTok to ban material Trump might not like paydayreport.com/tiktok-on-pa... Good thing we stood up to China!
TikTok on Payday’s Reporting Gets 21,000 Likes in Brasil, But Blocked by Trump Regs in U.S.
TikToks made in Brasil are now banned under new rules implemented by the Trump Administration.
paydayreport.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:27 AM
Trump's friend, Larry Ellison, is censoring TikTok to ban material Trump might not like paydayreport.com/tiktok-on-pa... Good thing we stood up to China!
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Volkswagen workers' recent deal winning 20% raises and lower health care costs comes amid a precarious labor market. "If VW had [refused to negotiate] ... that would have been a very negative signal about this moment."
@sharblock.bsky.social in @axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/05/t...
@sharblock.bsky.social in @axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/05/t...
Volkswagen workers' victory represents rare union breakthrough for South
Workers at Volkswagen's Chattanooga, Tenn., factory won 20% raises in their first UAW contract.
www.axios.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Volkswagen workers' recent deal winning 20% raises and lower health care costs comes amid a precarious labor market. "If VW had [refused to negotiate] ... that would have been a very negative signal about this moment."
@sharblock.bsky.social in @axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/05/t...
@sharblock.bsky.social in @axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/05/t...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Elon Musk’s “Vegas Loop,” a network of underground tunnels to ferry passengers in Teslas, was under fresh scrutiny this week from Nevada lawmakers who raised concern about alleged workplace safety and environmental violations. yhoo.it/4tlHXpR
February 7, 2026 at 2:20 AM
Elon Musk’s “Vegas Loop,” a network of underground tunnels to ferry passengers in Teslas, was under fresh scrutiny this week from Nevada lawmakers who raised concern about alleged workplace safety and environmental violations. yhoo.it/4tlHXpR
I loved reading his columns - a gem. All horrible.
February 4, 2026 at 11:05 PM
I loved reading his columns - a gem. All horrible.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
MINNESOTA — Mom goes outside to warm up her car, ICE grabs her: "Please, my car kids are all alone in the house!”
So nothing has changed and Homan was just to put a new face on the cruelty, got it
(H/T longtimehistory)
So nothing has changed and Homan was just to put a new face on the cruelty, got it
(H/T longtimehistory)
January 30, 2026 at 2:43 AM
MINNESOTA — Mom goes outside to warm up her car, ICE grabs her: "Please, my car kids are all alone in the house!”
So nothing has changed and Homan was just to put a new face on the cruelty, got it
(H/T longtimehistory)
So nothing has changed and Homan was just to put a new face on the cruelty, got it
(H/T longtimehistory)
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Finally got around to a bit of research I'd been meaning to explore, and: There is no documented instance of an ICE officer being identified and assaulted while off duty because he wasn't masked. www.pbump.net/o/ices-excus...
ICE’s excuse for wearing masks has never actually manifested
There have been incidents of harassment and threats. But there are no apparent incidents in which identified ICE officers have been assaulted off-duty.
www.pbump.net
January 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Finally got around to a bit of research I'd been meaning to explore, and: There is no documented instance of an ICE officer being identified and assaulted while off duty because he wasn't masked. www.pbump.net/o/ices-excus...
A new report honest DOL report on worker safety confirms that in the first six months of the Trump Administration the number of safety inspectors has fallen to the lowest numbers in the history of the agency. links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2.... Worse than Trump1.0 : www.nelp.org/insights-res...
links-2.govdelivery.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:35 PM
A new report honest DOL report on worker safety confirms that in the first six months of the Trump Administration the number of safety inspectors has fallen to the lowest numbers in the history of the agency. links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2.... Worse than Trump1.0 : www.nelp.org/insights-res...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Streets of Minneapolis. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKS...
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
www.youtube.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Streets of Minneapolis. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKS...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Was on TV earlier, asked about Leavitt trying to distance Trump from the Pretti death and then about some of the other stories we've heard about immigration enforcement. (Sorry for the cruddy quality.)
January 27, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Was on TV earlier, asked about Leavitt trying to distance Trump from the Pretti death and then about some of the other stories we've heard about immigration enforcement. (Sorry for the cruddy quality.)
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
In the list of MAGA liars who defamed Alex Pretti don’t forget Markwayne Mullin.
January 27, 2026 at 1:41 AM
In the list of MAGA liars who defamed Alex Pretti don’t forget Markwayne Mullin.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Kristi Noem is a liar.
Kristi Noem is incompetent.
Kristi Noem is vicious.
Kristi Noem must be fired.
Kristi Noem is incompetent.
Kristi Noem is vicious.
Kristi Noem must be fired.
January 26, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Kristi Noem is a liar.
Kristi Noem is incompetent.
Kristi Noem is vicious.
Kristi Noem must be fired.
Kristi Noem is incompetent.
Kristi Noem is vicious.
Kristi Noem must be fired.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
In today's @nytimes.com, @barryfriedman1.bsky.social and I argue that, with no *other* means of pursuing accountability for lawlessness by ICE, local/state prosecutions become not just legally viable, but necessary—both to punish past abuses and to deter future ones:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/o...
Opinion | Local Prosecution Is the Answer to Federal Lawlessness
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:56 AM
In today's @nytimes.com, @barryfriedman1.bsky.social and I argue that, with no *other* means of pursuing accountability for lawlessness by ICE, local/state prosecutions become not just legally viable, but necessary—both to punish past abuses and to deter future ones:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/o...