Worklplace

The Bush administration held its first hearing Monday to debate the need for ergonomics rules in the workplace, but the gathering was marked by charges from labor leaders that it was a "sham" and disrupted by protesters who were escorted out by police. Labor leaders demanded that the government move to protect workers against repetitive-stress workplace injuries at the Department of Labor forum, which they charged had been stacked in favor of business interests.

The Bush administration held its first hearing Monday to debate the need for ergonomics rules in the workplace, but the gathering was marked by charges from labor leaders that it was a "sham" and disrupted by protesters who were escorted out by police. Labor leaders demanded that the government move to protect workers against repetitive-stress workplace injuries at the Department of Labor forum, which they charged had been stacked in favor of business interests.