Temporary lock while I split the thread. I will be re-opening it soon. Stand by.
ETA: Okay, I've sent the unpleasant hal-sf diversion to the Bike Racks. In terms of advancing what could otherwise be an interesting discussion, it would be nice if statements could be backed up by supporting evidence. As it currently stands, worker safety was one of the reasons unions came into existence in the first place. In fact, it was the trade unions and the public outcry at worker deaths that backed the initial worker safety laws and institution of workman's comp. See this brief history of
OSHA. So I'd say unions have a lot to do with ensuring a safe workplace.
Now, as to the Walmart death, the finger can go pointing in dozens of directions, starting with a serious crowd-control fuck-up that, given that these rushes happen every year, could and should have been anticipated. That such a stampede even happened is pretty horrifying to me. A bunch of crap went on sale and a man died because 2000 people couldn't get through the doors fast enough? WTF??