During this clip, Frontline revisits the McWane business they once investigated in 2003. This cast iron and pipe company is being criticised for unsafe practices inflicted on the employees and its "relentless drive for productivity." When Frontline attempted to interview the owner of McWane he responded only in word document saying he will not allow Frontline in his buildings and will not be allowed to interview any current employees; therefore, Frontline retreated to interviewing former employees. A former manager spoke out about the conditions and how many violations in safety rules there were. The manager as well as two other former employees, both fired after being injured on the job, agreed that the work environment was nasty, dirty and hot, but paid decent money. One former employee also admitted to going to the bathroom on himself because they were not allowed to leave their stations while operating up to three machines at once. This is to show how cruel working conditions can still be even with workers' unions and laws and how this company owner values the production of money above all else.
When Frontline went to investigate McWane in 2003, there were more than 4,000 employees injured, but after it aired, the justice department led a nationwide investigation that produced a cascade of convictions- a turnaround at McWane. When frontline went to visit the company again this past year in 08, they found cleaner, safer conditions for the workers, and workers who could testify for that. Even though Frontline could not confront the minds behind McWane and its ideas, I believe it depicted the piping business in its truest form. I think without Frontline shedding some light on the McWane company, the number of injuries would be increasing and McWane would continue its relentless business putting productivity above its employees.
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