Public Employee Press

Battle is on for 9/11 funds

While the families of the 9/11 dead remain in the public eye, other victims of the terrorist attack have been shunted aside and left to fend for themselves. These are the rescuers — the brave volunteers and city workers who rushed to Ground Zero when the Twin Towers fell.

Some spent days searching the rubble pile for survivors and others stayed for months in the massive cleanup. Most lacked proper masks as they inhaled the stinking asbestos-laden air and the smoke of underground debris fires.

President Bush memorably climbed onto that pile just days after the attack. With his arm around a Firefighter’s shoulders, he praised the selfless service of the rescuers and promised $175 million towards their future health care.

Four years later, Bush’s allies in Congress rescinded $125 million of that funding, leaving thousands of workers and volunteers without either medical care or health monitoring.

In an effort to restore the health funds, 45 of the rescuers bused to Washington July 21. They met with Carolyn Maloney, D-Manhattan, Vito Fossella, R-S.I., other members of the New York delegation in Congress and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

Broken promise
Local 375 Treasurer Ron Vega, who worked 10 months at Ground Zero, was one who spoke. His statement that, “Even though the government is reneging on the promise to take care of these people, if there were another terrorist attack, everyone would run to help,” brought tears to congressional eyes.

“I find that extraordinary. While facing serious health and financial problems, they would still put their lives on the line for others,” said DC 37 Safety and Health Director Lee Clarke. “The courage of these people — it’s unbelievable.” She called the actions of Congress in taking back the funds, “horrible, horrible.”

Workers from many different unions, including the Ironworkers, electricians, laborers, firefighters and Emergency Medical Service employees, joined Mr. Vega. Clarke helped organize the lobbying mission with the New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health. Pelosi “was clearly taken aback by the stories the workers shared with her,” said Guille Mejia of the DC 37 Safety Dept.

Clarke pointed out that the problem “is also a New York State issue. The Workers’ Comp system is controverting all these cases. Our representatives need to be holding hearings about that!”

Mejia noted that several of the workers testified that they are being forced to take early retirement because of their health. “Rescuers who have already paid with their health are now in imminent danger of losing their health benefits and their homes.

To learn more about the campaign to restore the funding, visit Rep. Maloney’s Web site at: www.house.gov/maloney/issues/Sept11/20050531_rescission_ ltr_POTUS.pdf.

— Jane LaTour