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Public
Employee Press Benefits
to continue for Montello family
In their time of need, the family of Local 1320 member
Gennaro Montello, who was killed Jan. 9 in an accident at his job, will not have
to worry about paying for health insurance. Under a bill passed by the City Council
Jan. 23 and signed into law by the mayor on Feb. 10, the city will continue the
benefits for his widow, Donna, and children, Gennaro Jr. and Briana.
It
is reassuring to know that if a civilian employee sacrifices their life on the
job, we can achieve the same protection for the family that is automatically afforded
to the uniformed forces, said James Tucciarelli, president of Sewage Treatment
Workers and Senior STWs Local 1320. Beginning immediately after Montellos
death, the local urged the Dept. of Environmental Protection to press for the
benefit legislation.
Tucciarelli, who testified on the bill before the
City Council, thanked DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts and Susan Chin
of the unions Political Action Dept. for their dedicated work on behalf
of the Montello family.
Accident investigations Montello
was fatally injured at the Owls Head Wastewater Treatment Plant when a huge
conveyor belt that he and co-workers were moving suddenly collapsed and crushed
him. The officers of Local 1320 are working with the DC 37 Safety and Health Dept.
to monitor the accident investigation by the states Public Employee Safety
and Health Bureau. The union is also cooperating with an investigation by the
city Dept. of Investigation; four members, represented by a unionattorney, testified
in early February. | |