Local 2627 Participates in 90 Church Street Demonstration

"Ground Zero Isn't Just a Photo Op — Our Members Deserve Safe Workplaces"

"In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the world witnessed a phenomenon that those of us who work near Ground Zero have been living with for the last four years. Faced with national disaster, our government is more concerned about public relations than public safety. The needs of the business community take precedence over the needs of working people. When dealing with a toxic environment, spin is more important than science. The main objective is that Bourbon St. and Wall St. open for business as soon as possible.

"When the Twin Towers fell, every one of the thousands of computers that were pulverized released seven pounds of lead into the surrounding environment. Fluorescent light bulbs added dangerous amounts of mercury. There were PCBs, silica, heavy metals, and literally tons of asbestos in that cloud over lower Manhattan.

"The response of governmental leaders — both at the national level and here in New York City — was a refusal to lead. They saw Ground Zero primarily in terms of photo ops and advancing their own political agendas. 'You want the buildings cleaned up? Do it yourself! We'll even donate some free vacuum cleaners!'

"Well, we're here today to say this isn't enough. When the government disregards workers' health, it makes our lives less secure, and we have to conclude that all this talk about Homeland Security is simply posturing. We're here to demand that working people's health become the government's number one priority."

Gary Goff, speaking for Local 2627
at a City Hall rally, Nov. 10, 2005