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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2007)
Hundreds rally for health care for 9/11 workers Six years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, rescue and recovery workers affected by the toxic fallout still have not gotten the medical or financial help they need By JAMES PARKS While more than 600 union mem- bers were killed on Sept. 11, thou- sands more who worked in the rubble of the collapsed buildings are at risk for chronic diseases. Workers like Eduardo Torres, a member of Plumbers Local 14 in New Jersey, who helped clean up Ground Zero and has developed chronic respi- ratory disease because of his exposure to toxic chemicals in the air around the site. He told a Sept. 10 press con- ference in Piscataway, N.J.: “Staying home and watching the aftermath of these cowardly attacks from the comfort of my living room never entered my mind. Even had I anticipated the ailments I would face as a result of my involvement at Ground Zero, I don’t think it would have changed my decision to respond. I hope the federal government will step up to the plate and provide the re- sources for the care and monitoring we need.” New Jersey State AFL-CIO Presi- dent Charles Wowkanech said Presi- dent Bush “has turned his back on workers many times during his time in the White House. However, of all the issues he has been wrong on, his fail- ure to adequately provide for the brave men and women that gave so much of themselves at a dark time for America is disgusting.” On Sept. 8, hundreds of working families in New York joined with elected officials, first responders, com- munity organizers and religious lead- ers to rally and say it’s past time to take care of the heroes like Torres who risked their lives six years ago and are now struggling with disease. The rally, which commemorated both Labor Day and the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, drew attention to the bipar- tisan 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D- N.Y.), Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) introduced Sept. 11. The bill would provide comprehen- sive long-term medical coverage and financial compensation for anyone ex- posed to the toxic dust and debris of Ground Zero. Rescue and recovery workers, their unions, health care ad- vocates and survivors and their fami- lies have long said there is a deadly link between the poisonous Ground Zero rubble and the debilitating ill- nesses — and in some cases deaths — of those exposed. They say federal funding delays and poor organization led to the failure of various federal health agencies to respond fully to the workers’ needs. The AFL-CIO reported that for the first time, the death of a survivor of the Sept. 11 attacks was officially linked to exposure to the toxic mate- rial at Ground Zero. Rep. Nadler lays the blame on the government. “Government officials at all levels took perilous shortcuts on workers’ safety,” Nadler said. “Many of you toiled for months on that toxic pile at Ground Zero without proper protection. You were unnecessarily ex- posed to hazardous toxins because of what the government officials said and did.” New York State AFL-CIO Presi- dent Denis Hughes said “the time is now for a comprehensive, long-term commitment from Washington that addresses the ongoing medical moni- toring, compensation and treatment needs of our Sept. 11 heroes.” “Six years ago, these heroes showed the whole world how they re- spond to emergencies. Now it is our turn,” he added. Gary La Barbera, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, said at the rally, “We will never forget those who gave their lives on 9/11. We will never forget those who lost their lives on 9/11. And we will never for- get those who are still suffering from the effects of 9/11.” The legislation would cover first responders, rescue workers, construc- tion workers and volunteers who pitched in during the nine-month cleanup at the site. Residents, stu- dents, office workers and others who were in Lower Manhattan on 9/11 also would be eligible to receive health monitoring, treatment for con- ditions that can be linked to dust expo- sure and compensation for jobs that were lost or other financial setbacks caused by those illnesses. Under the proposed bill, Ground Zero health programs would be included in the federal budget on a regular basis. Robin Herbert, director of the World Trade Center monitoring and treatment program based at Mount Sinai Medical Center, told The New York Times about four in 10 of its pa- tients have had breathing problems, including asthma, and many suffer mental health problems such as post- traumatic stress disorder. A task force appointed by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) estimated that as many as 400,000 people might have been exposed to dust from the collapsed World Trade Center. Rep. Fossella summed up the feel- ing of the day when he said: “We have a solemn responsibility to the unsung heroes of 9/11 who were exposed to the air over Ground Zero. These men and women risked their own lives and safety when New York and our nation needed them most. We must support our unsung heroes and make sure that they, too, are not forgotten.” The national AFL-CIO Executive Council has urged Congress to act im- mediately to address the pressing health needs of workers exposed to Ground Zero toxic substances. (Editor’s Note: James Parks writes for the national AFL-CIONow blog.) Roger G. Worthington, P.C. leads the fight to find a cure for Mesothelioma cancer caused by asbestos exposure Since 1989, we have been dedicated to helping asbestos cancer patients get justice in the courtrooms and help in the hospitals. In the last ten years, we have recovered over $725 million for our clients. $34 Million: $20 Million: $12.6 Million: $10 Million: $8.4 Million: 60 year-old Navy veteran and carpenter 54 year-old engineer 69 year-old psychiatrist exposed at home 54 year-old woman exposed via father’s clothes 60 year-old Navy veteran and crane operator 800-831-9399 For a free booklet of medical/legal information, including medical experts, patient profiles, clinical trials and asbestos products, call us or visit our website. www.mesothel.com Personal finance experts say that af- ter retirement, individuals will spend the equivalent of their final annual salary each year. The Employee Benefit Research In- stitute reports that the median (half the values are above, and half are below) 401(k) balance is $67,000. Fidelity Investments recently re- ported that the average couple will spend a minimum of $250,000 on health care alone after they retire. The vast discrepancy between antic- ipated spending versus anticipated sav- ings will leave many retirees in dire straits. Compass Institute, a private think- tank dedicated to investment strategy research for existing company-spon- sored retirement plans, has calculated that unless investors are earning an av- SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 erage annual return of 12 percent over the life of their 401(k)s, their retirement funds will be woefully short. Can the boss do that? Ask a lawyer – for free Working America, the AFL-CIO’s community affiliate for people who don’t have a union at work, is offering a free service that helps workers know about their legal rights on the job. At “Ask-a-Lawyer,” visitors can read answers from lawyers, browse topics and send in any question that re- lates to their job. Working America can- not provide specific legal advice, but will answer questions about overtime, workers’compensation, discrimination and pay and benefits. Go to www.workingamerica.org. Mesothelioma typically We’ve helped hundreds develops 20 to 60 years after the first asbestos exposure. Each year about 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the U.S. of patients find the best doctors, coast to coast and we’re known for providing up-to-date medical information and patient education. Asbestos lawyers for life. Offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Dallas, Texas • Lawyers licensed in California, Oregon, and Texas Roger G. Worthington, P.C. has donated more than $2.5 Million to medical research working on a cure for mesothelioma — more than all the asbestos companies combined. NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 5
