[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 158 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNITION OF IDAHO VPP SITES

 Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I rise to commend six 
industrial sites in my State that have received recognition by the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection 
Programs, known also as VPP.
  The VPP is a cooperative organization between government and industry 
that was established in 1982 to emphasize and encourage safety, health, 
and environmental programs among labor, management, and government. 
This is done by recognizing certain industrial sites that have either 
achieved, or are making significant strides toward, excellence in 
worker safety and health protection. Mr. President, I am proud to say 
that six sites in Idaho have been recognized by the VPP.
  The following sites, all in Soda Springs, IA, have been awarded 
highest recognition as star sites: the Agrium Conda Phosphate 
Operations; the J.R. Simplot Company's Conda Pump Station; the Kerr-
McGee Corporation's Vanadium Facility; and Solutia, Inc.
  In addition to these star sites, I would like to commend two 
additional industrial sites in Idaho, both run by Potlatch Corp., that 
have achieved recognition as Merit Sites: Jaype Plywood, in Pierce, ID; 
and Potlatch Corp.'s Consumer Products Division, in Lewiston. Mr. 
President, both of these Potlatch sites have employees who are 
represented by unions. Jaype Plywood workers belong to the 
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 
WO358, and Potlatch's Consumer Products Division employees are 
represented by the United Paperworkers International Union, Locals 608 
and 712, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 
73. I would like to say, in regard to these Potlatch sites being 
recognized by the VPP, that the cooperation that has been exhibited 
between organized labor and management represents, in my mind, the best 
way to achieve a truly productive working environment by avoiding 
division and intrusive government regulation that frequently is 
counterproductive to the best interests of both the laborers and 
management.
  Mr. President, I would like to congratulate all of these industrial 
sites in Idaho for their efforts. VPP recognizes the cooperation of 
labor and management, working in conjunction with the government, to 
create a safe and healthy work environment for all who work at the 
sites. This spirit of cooperation has clearly achieved results, and as 
a U.S. Senator from Idaho, I would like to say again that I am very 
proud of the six sites in my State that have been recognized by the 
VPP.

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