UFCW

Official Publication of Local 1167, United Food and Commercial Workers Union July 2010 Boron miners ratify contract ending bitter labor dispute President ’s r ePort iners in Boron, Calif., who “I think we got a really, really good Our right to had been locked out of contract,” Local 30 member Kevin their jobs for three and a Martz told the Bakersfield Californian M half months returned to after the ratification vote. pursue happiness work on May 24 after voting to rati - The bitter labor dispute pitted 560 fy a six-year labor contract. union workers at the world’s second- year ago, while writing The agreement, approved on May largest borax mine against the Rio about the freedoms we 15 by 75 percent of the voting mem - Tinto Group, a British-Australian celebrate on Independence bers of International Longshore and conglomerate that had demanded Day, I referred to the tur - Warehouse Union Local 30, includes drastic concessions in benefits and A moil in Iran, where thousands of a $5,000 signing bonus and wage working conditions. people took to the streets to increases of 2.5 percent a year, in On Jan. 31, immediately after the protest a rigged election. addition to seniority protections and mine workers rejected Rio Tinto’s As if we needed a reminder, other workplace guarantees. Please see page 3 those protests dramatized how millions around the globe sorely wish they had the freedoms we Our next Quarterly Membership Meeting take for granted. Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010 The streets of Teheran, Iran’s the meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the UFCW Local 1167 Auditorium, capital, are quieter these days. But 855 W. san Bernardino Ave., Bloomington the people still yearn for honest elections, the rule of law and a government that isn’t dominated By Bill Lathrop by religious extremists. Union Office Closed Elsewhere on the planet, the ages-old struggle for human digni - ty continues, occasionally erupting into civil unrest. Monday, July 5 In Thailand, protestors who support a former prime minister In Honor of who was ousted in a military coup four years ago were routed from their encampments in a bloody military operation. The gov - Independence Day ernment also shut down opposition radio and TV stations. In Burma, a brutal, repressive military dictatorship holds sway over the country. The courageous pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was sentenced to 11 and a half years of house arrest for exercising her right to speak freely and criticize the govern - ment. We see broken countries like Somalia, where there is effective - ly no government control and armed militias run the country. None of these countries has free speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, free and fair elections or the right to a fair trial by one’s peers, among the many other rights we enjoy. Our Declaration of Independence, signed officially on July 4, 1776, cites “certain inalienable rights” that are shared by all. Among these are the rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of hap - piness.”

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Stater Bros. He retired from Vons in 1997. ... Arturo Lopez retired in May after 36 years with Vons and Safeway. ... Julie Moffett of Stater Bros. also retired MAP in May, after 25-plus years with the Membership Assistance Program company. ... Dennis Moffett of Stater YOUR UNION Bros. also retired in May. Dennis had eligible active or retired Food and Meat worked for the company since 1979, participants can call the toll-free MAP accumulating 34 years in the industry. ... number at the Health Management What ’s Nancyann Rodriguez retired in June after working 18 years for Albertsons. ... Center at any time, Joan Sanders of Ralphs retired in May. dAY or niGHt, 24 HoUrs A dAY, Happening Joan started in June of 1970 with FoodFair-Super A Foods until going to seVen dAYs A WeeK. by Maureen McCabe Ralphs in June of 1977. She remained Food division, call with Ralphs until retirement. ... Jacqueline Taylor retired on May 1 (800) 461-9179 after 34 years with Vons. She started drug division, call with the company in February 1977. ... (866) 268-2510 Cesar Vazquez retired in June after working for 20 years with Food 4 Less. (All calls are confidential.) Congratulations to you all! Enjoy! Just married in the past few months. First and fore - most, with an apology for missing the Just born Elizabeth Lynn Kelley from Vons mar - announcement previously, Paula Gorges Elissia Borrego of Stater Bros. ried Christopher Kelly Waters on retired in April. Paula worked at Ralphs announces the birth of Rylee Alyssa You are interesting! Feb. 12 in Maricopa County, Ariz. The for 19 years. ... David Arteaga retired in Gonzales. Born March 19, she weighed honeymoon is on hold for now. ... May after 35 years in the industry. Tell us about yourself. 3 lbs. 15oz. Mom says that Rylee was Vanessa Barnett , also of Vons, married David started with GEMCO and was “born strong and healthy, six weeks You are the most interesting thing Christopher J. Walls on March 27 at the there from 1976 to 1985. He then early.” ... Vanessa Alvarado of Ralphs about our union! if there’s Doubletree in Claremont. They honey - worked for Alpha Beta until 1991, and mooned at Coronado Island. ... announces the birth of Audree Jayde something unusual or newsworthy then for Lucky until 1999, before mov - Cameron Hall of Stater Bros. married ing to Albertsons, where he worked until Dominguez on March 31, weighing about your life, hobbies, abilities or Jeff Korbett in on April 1 and retirement. ... Heriberto Casillas of 6 lbs. 15 oz. ... Jessica Dominguez of talents, call us at the office and tell honeymooned in Thailand. ... Veronica Stater Bros. retired on June 1. Heriberto Stater Bros. gave birth to Abel Salas Jr. us about it so that we may Orozco from Pavilions married Steve had 30 years in the industry. He started on April 7. Abel weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. ... Guerra on April 10 in Palm Springs. ... Christy Hernandez of Rite Aid tells us consider doing a feature about you with FedMart in 1979 for a few months Jessica Marie Urrutia of Stater Bros. and went on to Mayfair until 1980. In of the birth of her daughter, Chloe in the desert edge. Just ask for married Anthony Ulloa. The wedding 1981 and 1982 he worked at Safeway Eilene, on April 10. Chloe weighed 8 Kathleen Franks or your was in San Bernardino on April 24 and and then returned to Mayfair. From 1989 lbs. 3.2 oz. and was 19.5 inches long. ... Union rep. the couple drove up the coast to San until retirement he was at Stater Bros. ... Lindsay Kristine Martin , also of Rite Francisco for the honeymoon. ... Robert Cunha of Vons chose to retire in Aid, gave birth to Connor Jacob on President Bill Lathrop Bradley Beavers of Alberstons married May. Robert accrued 41 years in the May 12. Connor weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. Constance Kofford on May 7 in San industry! ... Irene Gillentine , also from and was 21 inches long. ... Amanda Bernardino. ... Adam Prohoroff of Vons Vons, retired effectively in June after Danielle Palacios of Stater Bros. gave married Julianna Hernandez on May 20 35 years in the industry. Irene started birth to Marley Monroe Lopez on May in Hacienda Heights. with Albertsons in 1977 and went to 19. Marley weighed 8.6 lbs. ... Leticia Congratulations to the newlyweds! Vons in 2008. ... Eric Jefferson also Guerrero of Stater Bros has a new retired in June. Eric worked for Stater daughter, Nature Divine, who was born DeSerT eDGe Just retired Bros. since October 1989 and decided May 21 weighing 7.2 lbs. ... Trisha Quite a few more members have retired after a little more than 25 years that it Waddell of Rite Aid announces the birth Bill Lathrop was time to retire. ... June of Annalynn Noelle on June 3. Editor also brought the retirement Annalynn weighed 6 lbs. 9 oz. ... Official monthly publication of of Bobby Lindsey after 39 Eliseo Urquidies of Stater Bros. has a Local 1167, United Food and years. Bobby started with new son, Devin Rion, who was born on Commercial Workers International Your dues are now payable! Vons in 1971 and worked June 4 weighing 7 lbs. 11.5 oz. Union, San Bernardino, Riverside if you are one of the few me mbers of the local who are a majority of his years and Imperial Counties, . Congratulations to all of the families not yet signed up for dues checkoff: JULY dUes Are with Vons and some with and their new children! 855 West San Bernardino Ave. noW dUe And PAYABLe. iF YoUr dUes Are Bloomington, California (Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.) not PAid on or BeFore sePt. 1, 2010, YoU (Closed Sat., Sun. and holidays) WiLL AUtoMAtiCALLY sUsPend YoUrseLF. P.O. Box 1167 Bloomington, CA 92316 With dues checkoff, all future dues can be deducted automatically from your pay check. if you do not have an In MeMOrIAM Telephone Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. authorization form, call the local and one will be sent to Business Telephone: you immediately. Eula Coble , a retired food clerk formerly employed by safeway, died May 8, 2010, (909) 877-5000 at the age of 84. she had been a member since May 1952. Toll-Free Telephone: non-payment or payment of the incorrect amount will (800) 698-UFCW automatically suspend you — a costly and inconvenient Eva Ferer , a retired manufacturing employee formerly employed by theodor, died Food and Meat Division Insurance: mistake. Although not required, the local, as a courtesy, Jan. 27, 2010, at the age of 106. she had been a member since April 1955. (909) 877-1110 normally sends billing notices by first-class mail to those Luteal Earl , an affiliated member formerly employed by del rosa Convalescent Drug & General Sales Division not on dues checkoff. it is the member’s obligation to Hospital, died June 6, 2010, at the age of 81. she had been a continuous mem - Insurance: ber since november 1981. (909) 877-2331 pay dues in a timely manner. not receiving a notice is not an excuse for failure to pay dues on time. Mary Thompson , a retired food clerk formerly employed by Mayfair Markets, died June 6, 2010, at the age of 84. she had been a member since July 1964. Publisher Avoid suspension. Authorize dues checkoff today! We express our condolences to the families of these deceased members. JULY 2010 DESERT EDGE PAGE 3 Boron miners’ contract ratified

(Continued from front page) Chemical Corporation. Several mine Union r ePresentAtiVe ’s r ePort contract offer, the company barred workers were injured in clashes with them from entering the mine and scabs and security guards and police started hiring replacement workers. made 110 arrests. UFCW Local 1167 and other labor “Once again, labor unions have Avoid insubordination unions throughout California rallied demonstrated the power of solidari - to the workers’ aid, contributing food ty,” UFCW Local 1167 President Bill — do what you’re told! and supplies that were delivered to Lathrop said following the recent the miners in a convoy of trucks contract settlement in Boron. very employee at one coordinated by the Food & Drug “This victory was made possible time or another has a Council. by the unity of workers in Boron and problem with a supervi - In 1974, the mine at Boron was by the solidarity of their allies in sor relating to a job the site of a five-month strike against many other unions and industries,” e assignment. the Rio Tinto-owned US Borax and President Lathrop said. An employee might accept a task grudgingly and then gripe about it to anyone who will lis - Walmart sets up shop in India ten. Such reactions usually almart is circumvent - and other foreign corporations aren’t a problem, as long as ing legal restrictions in from selling directly to the public. they are infrequent and kept India by sponsoring To get around this limitation, under control. But one thing farmers directly to sell Walmart has begun sponsoring you should not do is refuse to W perform the task you were told produce on the wholesale market. farms that grow produce to sell in to do. That’s called insubordi - Many Indians, some in high local stores. The company pays the nation and it can lead to termi - By Pete Waasdorp government offices, are wary of farmers more than the regional dis - nation. the company’s intentions. tributers can afford, then delivers Arbitrators have consistently upheld managers’ right to manage Most retail purchases in the their crops directly to local outlets. and supervise their workforces. They generally will not tolerate country are made at small shops Walmart uses similar means to worker actions that undermine a supervisor’s authority or ability to that would be endangered by the distribute clothing, electronics manage. presence of Walmart-style big-box and other items in India, but food The best way to deal with insubordination is to do what your stores. For this reason, the Indian production is at the center of its supervisor says, as long as it’s not immoral, illegal or unsafe. government has banned Walmart strategy. If a manager or supervisor asks you to do something you think violates your union contract, you should still do it and then notify your Union Representative right away! Your Union Representative is the one to determine whether the Last 7 days of J uLy rules, regulations and protections of the contract are followed. If there is a violation of the contract, a grievance will be filed on your behalf. Be aware of your availability status The grievance process f you have been in the industry are unavailable to work 40 hours The grievance and arbitration provisions of the union contract for more than a few years, you over five days in any given week. are essential tools used by the union to enforce the contract and probably don’t remember A member can be on the “avail - protect its members. whether your status with your able” list and still request days off. As a union member, you have the right to use these provisions iemployer is “available” or “self- We always encourage our mem - to address violations of the contract. restricted.” bers to place themselves on the When the union carries a grievance from an individual worker, According to the Master Food “available” list. The two lists are it becomes the union’s grievance. This makes the union a buffer Agreement’s Article 4A, an employ - kept separate. In the event a compa - ee may change his or her availability ny does layoffs, the first list it will between the aggrieved worker and the company so the worker is twice a year, during the last seven start with is the “self-restricted” list. protected from any management retribution. days of January and July. July is right around the corner. Many grievances involve only one worker. For example: an Many members mistakenly think Check with your employer and, if employer fails to pay overtime or denies a request for sick leave. if they list themselves as “restricted” necessary, change your status! Handling this type of grievance usually involves getting the facts then their employer must accommo - If you have questions, contact to enforce a contract provision that is easily interpreted. date any restrictions they have. This your Union Representative or the Many contract protections, however, are open to interpretation. is not true. Being on the “self- representative on duty at (909) 877- They may reflect a general understanding or agreement between restricted” list only means that you 5000. the union and the company, but such understandings must be clar - ified when they are applied on the job. A grievance on a contract interpretation that is won by the union has the effect of a precedent and may be used in any future dis - putes that may arise over the same issue. It PAYS to be UNION! Never hesitate to contact your Union Representative if you feel the union contract has been violated in any way. JUne 2010 2010 totAL Back pay and benefits $369.78 $42,964.48 restored to members Members reinstated 21 144 Grievances settled 85 609 (909) 877-5000 PAGE 4 DESERT EDGE JULY 2010 randy McLaughlin’s signature creations ou never know where skater Michelle Kwan and actress the road of life will take Jennifer Love Hewitt. you,” said Randy “To be ambassador, you have to be McLaughlin of Stater able to give back worldwide,” Bros. 92 in Lake McLaughlin said. “Our Hollywood Graffiti gown on display! Arrowhead. “Just be Graffiti Gown (see sidebar at right) ‘Yready for anything.” opened that door because of the recog - n a pre-Mother’s Day That road has taken McLaughlin, nition I was receiving.” event on May 6, the 55, through some amazing twists and I Hollywood Graffiti When his partner passed away in Gown created by Randy turns, as well as some spectacular 2007, McLaughlin decided to go back McLaughlin and Jerry scenery. to work. Skeels of Jeran Design was Along the way McLaughlin has “What better way to give back and unveiled at the Hollywood sketched, designed and created cos - become an integral part of the commu - History Museum, where it tumes and gowns for some of the most nity than at the local grocery store?” is currently on display. famous people in the entertainment he said. Celebrities Florence world. At Stater Bros. he began working in Henderson of The Brady McLaughlin and his partner, Jerry the Produce Department, but his Bunch , Ilene Graff of Mr. Skeels, achieved renown status in 1983 celebrity status as ambassador quickly Belvedere , Kim Rhodes of when actress Joan Collins wore their led to another opportunity within the The Suite Life of Zack & store. Stater Bros. couldn’t be happier Cody and Dee Wallace of about it. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial “We needed someone to demo the were there to celebrate. products in the store,” McLaughlin Other celebrities in recalled. “Everyone in the store told attendance included our manager that I know 95 percent of Stefanie Powers of Hart to the people on the mountain, so it was a Hart , Alison Arngrim of perfect fit.” Little House on the Prairie , Donna Mills of Knotts As a GM Clerk, he sold 265 units in Landing , Eve Plumb of The one day and set a record of 5,500 units Brady Bunch , Kate Linder over a 28-day period. After that, the of The Young & the Lake Arrowhead store’s produce and Restless , Jo Anne Worley bakery departments were ranked first of Laugh In , Rose Marie of in Stater Bros.’ chain of 177 stores. The Dick Van Dyke Show , “I love the family here — at Stater Margaret O’Brien Bros. and in the Lake Arrowhead com - (Academy Award winning munity,” he said. child star), and comedians McLaughlin also loves the family Rip Taylor and Judy that comes with union membership. Tenuta. “Unions are here to stand up for The gown Randy McLaughlin working people,” he said. “I’m glad The Hollywood Graffiti the union is here… for peace of mind, red poinsettia gown for the Gown incorporates a list of if anything. There is only one entity December/Christmas issue cover of female stars’ names beaded looking out for the working people Playboy magazine. That cover became into plush fabric. these days, and that is the union.” known as “The Lady In Red.” Over a 24-year period, He recalled with pride the respect Over the next three decades, their Jerry Skeels created the his father earned as head of the con - company, Jeran Design, was the design gown out of Black German struction workers’ union in Michigan. company of choice among the Velvet while the signatures And when McLaughlin established his Hollywood elite. were hand-sewn by own career, he was sure to join the McLaughlin with bugle, McLaughlin and Skeels created gar - The Hollywood Graffiti Gown Costume Designers Guild. seed and platinum beads. ments for Lana Tuner, Kim Novak, Now McLaughlin plans to get back The McLaughlin-Skeels masterpiece is further accessorized with five- Donna Mills, Lindsay Wagner, Tina into the glamour industry. carat diamond and topaz earrings. Turner, Natalie Cole, Little Richard, The gown was first unveiled in 2004 at the Academy of Television and many others. “Hollywood is missing glamour,” he said. “I need to do my part to bring Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood. It has since been presented in Jeran Design earned two Emmy it back.” , San Francisco and La Paz, Bolivia. nominations for best design and won His memoir, The Glamour Kings of The gown contains more than 350 signatures of influential females, the United Nations International Spirit including Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth, Carol Channing, Elizabeth Award in 1984, as well as the Golden Hollywood , covering his more than 30 years in the industry, is expected to be Taylor, Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Whoopi Goldberg, Mother Teresa Needle Award in 2003, among other and the cast from Desperate Housewives , among others. honors. in bookstores by Christmas. A world - wide publicity tour will follow. It is currently displayed in a glass case so guests can view it in its McLaughlin and Skeels moved to entirety until Nov. 28. Lake Arrowhead on Dec. 1, 2005, and Does this mean McLaughlin will The Hollywood Graffiti Gown will be auctioned during the first within two months McLaughlin was have to take a leave of absence from quarter of 2011, with the proceeds going to AIDS awareness charities. selected as “ambassador” of the com - Stater Bros. and the union? The starting bid will be $1 million. munity. Previous ambassadors of Lake “I’ll have to see where the path of Arrowhead included Olympic figure life takes me,” he said. JULY 2010 DESERT EDGE PAGE 5 randy McLaughlin’s signature creations Scenes from the press event...

From left: Celebrities dee Wallace, stefanie Powers, ilene Graff, Alison Arngrim, Margaret o’Brien, randy McLaughlin, Florence Henderson, Judy tenuta, Brenda dickson, Kate Linder. in front, from left: rose Marie and edith shain.

McLaughlin’s book

Comedienne Jo Anne Worley

Florence Henderson of the Brady Bunch and McLaughlin open the press conference.

Kim rhodes, rose Marie, suite Life of Zack and Cody the dick Van dyke show Comedian rip taylor

donna Mills, Knotts Landing, and the gown dee Wallace, e.t. the extra terrestrial, and McLaughlin ABC 7’s “on the red Carpet” reporter interviews McLaughlin PAGE 6 DESERT EDGE JULY 2010

President ’s r ePort Our right to pursue happiness (Continued from front page) When they prepared the Declaration of When they voted to ratify the Declaration of we’re not fighting for personal greed — the Independence for the Second Continental Independence, they knew they were exalt - sort of “every man for himself” fantasy Congress to consider in 1776, Thomas ing the notion of “public happiness” above some folks have — but for the ability of Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin deliberate - the accumulation of property. regular people to reach for their dreams. ly struck out “property” and replaced it with A few years later, the French adopted the Through collective bargaining with our “pursuit of happiness.” phrase liberte, egalite, fraternite — “liberty, employers, our union makes it possible to equality, brotherhood” — as the motto of have the time and the resources that enable Why did they do that? their revolution. In doing so, they honored us to pursue happiness along our own Jefferson and Franklin were fans of a the virtue of brotherhood above the amass - unique paths. philosopher named Francis Hutcheson who ing of material wealth. The Fourth of July is a good time to mar - wrote about a public form of happiness. As a brotherhood of working people, our vel at the wisdom of our country’s Hutcheson measured this happiness in union exists to ensure the pursuit of happi - Founders. If those Founders were alive terms of “the greatest happiness by the ness for the greatest number of people. today, they would surely agree that there is greatest number.” Whenever we fight for better wages, work - nothing more American than a labor union. Our Founders were intelligent people. ing conditions, vacation days and benefits, Happy Fourth of July!

Know your politics: Jerry Brown for governor A lifetime fighting for working families On April 14, the California Labor Federation voted to endorse Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown for governor. For more than 40 years, Brown has remained steadfastly com - mitted to improving the lives of California’s working families.

Workers' rights • Established the right to collectively bargain for teachers, school employees and other state workers (SB 160, 1975). • Established the right to collectively bargain for fire - fighters, police and other local government workers (AB 1693, 1981). • Gave farmworkers the right to join unions and bar - gain collectively (SB 1, 1975). Strengthened the state’s equal pay law (SB 1051, 1976). Good wages • Required the University of California to pay pre - vailing wages on construction projects (SB 394, 1975). Worker safety • Signed a law to protect workers from toxic sub - stances in the workplace (SB 1874, 1980). Strengthening the safety net • Increased unemployment benefits for laid-off work - ers (AB 91, 1975). • Increased workers’ compensation for those who were injured on the job (SB 469, 1975; AB 467, 1976; AB 3028, 1978). Standing up to large corporations • Fought large corporations who exploit their work - ers, winning settlements for construction workers and others whose rights have been violated. JULY 2010 DESERT EDGE PAGE 7

Members atWork Stater Bros 123 Victorville PAGE 8 DESERT EDGE JULY 2010

steWArd F eAtUre Steward: Solidarity key to success in negotiations

s a car enthusiast, Gabe going to union meetings, ignoring of teachers’ unions. Hernandez knows some - rumors and relying on stewards “I remember many family dis - thing about traveling on and Union Representatives for cussions around the dinner table A tough roads. accurate information. talking about unions,” he said. “I Hernandez, who is a meat cut - Hernandez is a 15-year union learned early on that the only ter and steward at Stater Bros. 123 veteran and has been a steward for way to get the best pay and bene - in Victorville, sees a “tough road” three years. fits is to work at a union job.” ahead in negotiations for a new “I wanted to do something for When Hernandez is not at Master Food Agreement. the union and the members at my work or spending time with his “It’s nothing we can’t navigate store,” Hernandez said. “It’s two adult sons, he works on old successfully,” Hernandez said. “If important to have a liaison with cars. He does everything from we stick together and we all do the union so we can be better simple refinishing to rebuilding our part, we can meet the chal - informed about what is going on. the car from the frame up. lenge.” That’s especially important during He drives a ’63 Chevy Short Solidarity is the key, Hernandez negotiations.” Bed pickup with more than said. Hernandez comes from a union 300,000 miles on it and is a “Solidarity means demonstrat - family. His grandfather worked for proud member of the Ol’ Skool ing our strength at every opportu - the Santa Fe Railroad. He has sev - Wayz car club. nity,” he said. “It’s our duty as eral uncles who are members of “We meet once a week in front union members.” the cement masons union and of the Lowes in Hesperia for our Gabe Hernandez Hernandez said that means other relatives who are members cruise night,” Hernandez said. “We get about 200-300 car those cars have become classics.” restoration enthusiasts from Hernandez said he is optimistic throughout the High Desert. that negotiations for a new con - “It’s a lot of fun to not only tract can be resolved successfully. restore the cars but also to drive “We have met challenges in the them.” past,” he said. “The key is to His favorite car is his son’s make sure the companies see we 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass. are united and they know we will “It’s a car I grew up with,” he do whatever it takes to get a fair said, “and as I get older, many of contract.” Hernandez’s ’79 Cutlass See pictures from Stater Bros. 123 on page 7.

Be careful around fireworks! Even sparklers can cause serious injuries hen people think of summer, spew arcs of light and molten metal at they often think of outdoor temperatures that can reach 1,800 activities and good times Fahrenheit — hot enough to melt gold. W with family and friends. Sparklers account for three-quarters of These activities include getting together all fireworks injuries to children under for barbecues, family reunions, games the age of five. and Fourth of July celebrations. The typical victims of fireworks are Whether legal or illegal, an integral teen boys between the ages of 13 and part of many Independence Day cele - 15. They sustain three-fourths of all brations is fireworks, which are exciting and spectacular to watch as colors fireworks-related eye injuries, mainly explode across the night sky. Children caused by bottle rockets. Rockets are of every age stand in awe of the fabu - one of the most dangerous types of fire - lous displays. But with explosives works as they fly erratically and fre - comes the potential for injury. quently injure bystanders. Hot enough to melt gold If a firework eye injury should occur, Seemingly harmless, sparklers pose do not rub the eye. Shield the eye from the greatest threat to small children pressure or rubbing action and do not because parents view them as non- try to rinse out the eye or apply oint - explosive and relatively safe. However, ment or medication to the eye. Seek most people don’t realize that sparklers medical attention immediately.