EDWARD E. EITCHES
09/25/2000 02:29 PM

To: Bargaining Unit Employees
cc:
Subject: Building Safety; Membership Meeting

Local 476 played a role in ensuring the safety of the Headquarters Building. While I was refused entry on Thursday morning, I pressed HUD Management to obtain EPA and GSA certifications that the building was safe before employees were required to attend. Management wisely did not open the building on Friday even though preliminary findings showed that the building was safe.

I was given a comprehensive briefing by Deputy Secretary Saul Ramirez on Sunday morning. He informed me that EPA and GSA had now provided the certifications of safety. Based on this information, I supported his decision to reopen the building on Monday.

The Local has been provided with appropriate documentation, which is available for you to read in Room 3139. This includes a letter from EPA dated Saturday and a letter from GSA dated Sunday. The GSA letter states, " Based on the air sample results (from GSA contractors) and the EPA review and concurrence with the actions taken to ensure the public areas are safe, we concur with the decision to re-open the building."

The four electrical transformers are the originals. They need to be replaced. HUD Management is planning to install new transformers beginning in December.

I appreciate those members who volunteered their technical expertise. We are an incredible union of many talented people....