Losing your car to the City’s Tow Pound at Pier 76 stands out as one of New Yorkers’ worst nightmares. For the members of Local 983 and 1549 — the Motor Vehicle Operators and the Clerical-Administrative employees who work at Pier 76 — the worksite itself is a nightmare.

The sprinkler system is inoperable. Fire extinguishers haven’t been serviced in years. There are no alarms and no fire drills. There is no emergency evacuation plan. Exits are blocked and some are bolted. Electrical hazards abound. As do vermin, since sanitation and housekeeping are missing from management’s vocabulary.

Local 983 Vice President Walter Drummond says the problems began six years ago, when the Police Dept. took over the towing operation. “Prior to this, the Department of Transportation maintained safe working conditions. The NYPD neglects the civilian units,” he says.

Local 1549 Grievance Rep Gerald Johnson points out that, “The only reason they are taking action now is because of the actions taken by the union.” Local 1549 filed a grievance and DC 37 worked through the NYPD Labor-Management Safety and Health Committee and finally involved the state enforcement mechanism.

On July 26, the Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau of the State Department of Labor conducted a comprehensive inspection. On Jan. 10, PESH issued a complaint, citing numerous serious violations.

“The complaint with PESH became our only recourse,” said Guille Mejia, principal program coordinator for the DC 37 Safety and Health Dept. “Now the NYPD has to take corrective action or pay monetary fines,” said Ms. Mejia. Local 1549 Shop Steward Linda Hall signed on to the original grievance. She has worked at the facility as a cashier for 13 years. She is practiced at explaining the hazards at the facility — from the toxic carbon monoxide fumes to the electrical wiring, blocked exits, infestation of flies and vermin and lack of sanitation. “Our members worry about what’s going to happen in the future from years of breathing in all the toxic fumes on a daily basis. Employees have problems with asthma, allergies and other bronchial conditions.”

PESH is requiring abatement of the most serious hazards by March 6. All violations must be remedied by April 17, or the NYPD will have to pay fines.