Workers’ Memorial Day more poignant than ever

By DEBORAH A. MILES

Nearly 700 union members attended the National Workers’ Memorial Day service at Trinity Church in New York City in late April to mourn and honor workers who died or were injured on the job.

After the church service, the union members formed a procession and joined another 2,000 people at Ground Zero where union leaders echoed the famous battle cry of Mother Jones, “Mourn for the dead, but fight like hell for the living!”

PEF President Roger Benson and Region 10 Coordinator Jennifer Faucher were among those representing PEF at the observance.

Union leaders including national AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and state Assembly Member Brian McLaughlin, president of the NYC Central Labor Council, spoke about the victims of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, the heroism of rescue workers and the continuing struggle for safer workplaces.

“The service took on new meaning this year because of September 11,” Faucher said. “There was a tremendous show of unity, support and an outpouring of emotion. The public throughout the city was encouraged to observe a moment of silence at noon.”

The terrorist attacks of September 11 and subsequent anthrax assaults claimed the lives of 3,000 people — and more than 600 of them were union members who died on the job, including 34 PEF members.

Worker’s Memorial Day, an annual event on April 28, not only honors those who lost their lives or were injured on the job, but brings to attention the need for worker protections and safer workplaces.

Each year, workplace hazards, job injuries and occupational diseases claim the lives of more than 50,000 workers in the US. And ergonomic hazards injure and cripple more than 1.8 million American workers annually, according to the AFL-CIO Department of Safety and Health.

HONORING VICTIMS, HEROES AND WARRIORS — Ray Sharp has collected a unique collection of caps and other items related to September 11. The display travels to various New York libraries. — Photo by Kara Burton

Member’s 9/11 memorial exhibit visiting libraries

What once was a hobby for PEF member Ray Sharp has evolved into a unique memorial exhibit saluting the victims and heroes of September 11. He has collected baseball caps, mugs and flags to honor those who lost their lives and those who assisted after the tragedy.

“I wanted to help in some way, but I was unable to volunteer at Ground Zero because my doctor told me I couldn’t wear the personal-safety equipment or breathe the air from the aftermath,” said Sharp, a public employment safety and health (PESH) inspector at the state Labor Department.

So, he expanded his collection and created a traveling exhibit that is touring public libraries across the state.
Currently, Sharp’s collection includes caps from the NYC police and fire departments, the New York-New Jersey Port Authority, American Airlines, United Airlines, PEF and other organizations whose members or employees lost their lives in the attacks.

“The exhibit consists of three sections,” Sharp said. “The first section honors the people who were killed on September 11 and includes a PEF cap for our members who perished.”

The second section salutes the various groups who volunteered at Ground Zero including the American Red Cross and the

Salvation Army. Another PEF cap in this section represents the union’s many members who participated.
The third and largest section of the exhibit highlights the U.S. government agencies and military forces sent to Afghanistan.

“This section includes caps from the FBI, CIA, Special Forces, the Army, Marines and Navy SEALS. Name it, I’ve got their cap,” he said.

In June, the exhibit is at the Ogdensburg public library.

— Deborah Miles

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Program to monitor post 9-11 health effects on rescuers/responders

By SHERRY HALBROOK

Public employees are among those bearing the brunt of the “after shocks” on public health from the terrorist attacks of September 11.

If you worked in the secure seclusion area around Ground Zero in lower Manhattan, the Fresh Kills Landfill where debris from the World Trade Center building collapses was brought for further examination, and/or the waste-stream corridor, you may have been exposed to dangerous chemicals or other health hazards.

That’s why a medical surveillance program has been established for state employees who worked in these areas. The program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) through the national Centers for Disease Control.

The program is being administered by the NYS Governor’s Office of Employee Relations, the state Health Department and the Employee Health Service of the state Civil Service Department, with support and advice from the state-employee unions.

“PEF strongly urges its members who worked in these designated areas of heightened risk after the attacks to participate in this program,” said PEF Director of Safety and Health Jonathan Rosen.

“This is a voluntary program which will attempt to evaluate the potential health effects for employees who may have been exposed to chemical agents or who are now experiencing other health issues that could be related. The program is also meant to help ensure that any future health effects are also addressed,” Rosen said.
To date, 500 PEF members are among those who have been invited to participate.

Members who worked at any of these sites and have not received a letter inviting them to participate in the program should call the PEF Health and Safety Department at 1-800-342-4306, ext. 252.

PEF has clarified with the state that health surveys and physical exams will be conducted during working hours and are confidential.

— Photo courtesy AMERICA @ WORK -
Jack Blazejewicz/TWA Local 100