Well, hello, and thanks for asking.
I work for the State of Vermont, and our union is the Vermont State Employees Union, more conveniently known as the VSEA (check out VSEA on-line) ...I hope that link posts properly.
This week has actually delivered the first bit of hope we've had in a very long time. Tuesday brought a press conference by the Union highlighting the issues, followed by a surprise meet and greet with Governor Douglas. The meeting with the Governor brought little else than further platitudes and frustrations. But, the very next day, a bill was introduced that called for an April 1st deadline for relocation, plus blanket workers' compensation for those stricken with the illness (mostly Democratic legislators versus our Republican Governor). That lead to yesterday's memo from Secretary Mike Smith about how an immediate, phased shut down of our building is in the works now, as well as some efforts to recompense employees in various ways (a volley back from the Republican administration).
All of this is after 8 months of the administration knowing of the then-6 diagnosed cases of Sarcoidosis (now, 8) and without any action at all on their part. Sarcoidosis, in the general population) is diagnosed in 1 out of 10,000 people. In the state office building, we have 8 cases out of 170-ish current employees (and probably, like, 200 more over the last 6 years). Additionally, complaints of in-door air quality in this building have been filed since 1992, without any action. This has lead to a person working in my office having a 10x higher chance of being diagnosed with asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
We've done demonstrations, e-mails and calls to legislators and members of the executive branch, big meetings, etc. Finally we're seeing some movement.
And on a personal note, I've been quoted in print, seen on TV, and interviewed by two public radio stations, as a result, and I'm quite pleased with that as well.
If you're still reading by now, I'll buy you a cookie. |
