By Jesse Russell

One of the primary concerns of opponents to the possible confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito is record on labor rights. Joanne Ricca is a member of the legislative staff at the AFL-CIO, she said in the wake of the Sago Mine tragedy one Alito case that is being overlooked is the nominee siding against workers with a coal-processing company that had been cited for mine safety violations. Alito said the company wasn't covered by the Mine Safety and Health Act:

[ricca]: Two other judges actually disagreed with Alito. Both Reagan appointees saying those workers did indeed deserve health and safety protection. It just shows a real hostility of Alito to government regulation on behalf of workers and always an attempt on his part for the narrowest interpretation of laws that we have been able to get passed by Congress, to protect workers.