Public Employee Press

Poltical Action 2006
Medical aid signed for Ground Zero heroes

Standing at the edge of Ground Zero Aug. 14, Gov. George E. Pataki signed a set of laws and executive orders to fund medical aid for the thousands of city workers and volunteers whose heroism left them a legacy of debilitating and sometimes fatal illnesses.

“We commend Governor Pataki for his approval of medical aid for the heroes of Ground Zero. Many are DC 37 members who worked on 9/11 rescue and recovery and are now ill and in need of Workers’ Comp and medical attention for their late-emerging conditions,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.

She pointed out that DC 37 had lobbied for two years for the plan the governor signed to extend Workers’ Comp deadlines, and she said that that the union had originated the idea of using federal funds for 9/11 medical costs.

In October, DC 37 will hold a seminar on the benefit improvements, registration requirements and critical deadlines of the new laws, which extend Workers’ Compensation time limits, protect members’ right to file in the future and provide medical funds for city employees awaiting the outcome of Workers’ Comp cases.

Pension, health benefit and Workers’ Comp specialists will answer members’ questions at the seminar, Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at DC 37, 125 Barclay St. in lower Manhattan. To register, call the DC 37 Safety and Health Dept., 212-815-1685 by Oct. 6. Also, look for a fact sheet on the benefit improvements in the next PEP.