For Immediate Release
Wednesday, April 28, 1999
AFSCME President Requests Congressional Hearings to Address Workplace Safety on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON —In letters to the chairmen of the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) President Gerald W. McEntee has requested hearings to examine the health and safety risk faced by AFSCME Local 626 and other employees who work for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
President McEntee’s request comes on the heels of numerous investigations conducted by the Office of Compliance, and the House Inspector General (IG). On April 21 and 22, the Office of Compliance issued two additional citations against the AOC for serious workplace violations. The citations were issued for the lack of railings on fixed ramps on the roof of the U.S. Capitol, which is used by Capitol police to gain access to the flagpole. One day later, the AOC was cited for hazardous levels of the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease.
On March 21, an Office of Compliance investigation revealed 14 Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations by the AOC at the Capitol power plant. Earlier this year, a scathing report from the IG denounced the U.S. Capitol and five House office buildings as firetraps. In addition, in May 1998 a series of investigations conducted by the Office of Compliance resulted in three citations against the AOC for serious workplace violations.
“Regrettably, the citations that have been issued to the Architect of the Capitol have thus far been ignored,” said President McEntee. “It’s now time to put safety first -- not only for AOC employees, but for everyone who walks through the doors of the U.S. Capitol and the House and Senate office buildings.”
President McEntee urged the chairmen of both the House and Senate committees to hold hearing as soon as possible, citing the serious health and safety risk that employees and visitors now face.
A copy of President McEntee’s letter to the Committee on House Administration is available through the AFSCME Public Affairs Department by calling 202-429-1130.
