These are Nebraska Appleseed’s guiding principles, and have been since our non-profit, non-partisan law project started “sowing the seeds of justice” in 1996. Nebraska Appleseed focuses on advancing policies and practices that promote self-sufficiency for Nebraska’s working poor families, promote the integration and participation of immigrant populations in communities across Nebraska, provide safe and adequate child welfare services to children who need protection, increase low-income people’s access to the legal system and support democracy by removing barriers to low-income people’s participation in the electoral and public policy decision-making processes.

OSHA Listens to Appleseed Testimony on Meatpacking Worker Health & Safety

On March 4, 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opened its doors to stakeholders from around the country for an all-day “OSHA Listens” event in its Washington, DC headquarters. The purpose of the event was for OSHA to receive comments and suggestions on key issues facing the agency in order to improve OSHA’s efforts to protect the safety and health of workers. The agency was particularly interested in specific actions it can take to enhance the voice of workers in the workplace, particularly workers who are hard to reach, who do not have ready access to information about hazards or their rights, or who are afraid to exercise their rights.

Stakeholders presented their ideas, suggestions and comments to Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels, Chief of Staff Deborah Berkowitz, Director of Enforcement Richard Fairfax, and Director of Standards Dorothy Dougherty.

Nebraska Appleseed testified on policy changes by OSHA to improve health and safety conditions for meat and poultry workers. Read more on the Appleseed Blog...

Video of Appleseed Testimony | Read the Testimony | Media Coverage

Back to School, Back to Work: Winning Strategies for Building Economic Opportunity in Nebraska

Creating opportunity for all Nebraskans requires that we make choices based on our shared values that contribute to the common goals of our families, communities, businesses, and the state as a whole. While Nebraska is a place
where many people do live “The Good Life,” a significant number of jobs in our state do not pay family supporting wages and many workers lack the skills for a 21st Century economy. As a result, families struggle to meet basic needs. Investing in improving job quality, opportunities for skill building, and supports for working families will position Nebraska to capitalize on our workforce strengths and become a stronger economic leader in the future.

This report builds on feedback from educators, policy makers, human services providers, academics, and community members statewide and provides supportive information and data. Ultimately, it suggests eight key strategies to build opportunity in four main areas: job opportunity, access to education, work supports, and access to health care.

Read the Report | Read the Press Release

Watch video from the Report Release: Senators Mello, Hadley, & Coash speak about the importance of family supports, education & training, and present the "Back to Work, Back to School" Award:

	We work to have a system of laws, policies, and practices that make sure all families can meet their basic needs, find opportunity, and become active and treasured members of society.
	We seek policies and practices that promote the integration and participation of new immigrant populations in Nebraska and Great Plains communities.
	We enforce constitutional, federal, and state statutory requirements for providing adequate child welfare protection services in the State of Nebraska.
	Seeking laws and policies that ensure all Nebraskans have access to quality affordable health care.
	We protect and promote this fundamental right with the use of technology and grassroots efforts.
	We break down barriers to voting, and encourage low-income, minority, new immigrant, and struggling communities throughout Nebraska to register, vote, and participate in the political process.