FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2000
Health Survey Results
and OPSEU force closure of Newmarket Courthouse
NEWMARKET – Conclusive results from a Ministry of Labour Health
survey and mounting pressure from OPSEU have forced Ontario
Attorney-General Jim Flaherty to close the provincial courthouse in
Newmarket. The building will close today and not re-open until all
toxic mould is removed.
"Finally the responsible thing has happened, somebody has
taken responsible action," said OPSEU Health and Safety Officer
Bob DeMatteo. "These people have been suffering in that
courthouse now for at least half a year. Some of them have very
serious illnesses such as asthma and hopefully the Minister’s
actions will prevent some of those conditions from becoming permanent
occupational diseases."
The Ministry of Labour ordered the health survey of all courthouse
employees following its investigations of health and safety work
refusals by members of OPSEU Local 310. The worker health complaints
increased shortly after toxic mould was discovered in February when
building renovations began. The survey conducted by the Occupational
Health Clinic for Ontario Workers, found symptoms and health
conditions of the workers seemed to be getting worse and said that if
these conditions continued they might become chronic.
"The biggest thing that we’re finding is the development of
occupational asthma," said DeMatteo. "This is what has
alarmed the physicians that have looked at the report. It indicated
that almost 40 per cent of the people at the courthouse have developed
new cases of occupational asthma."
"I’m a good example of what could happen to my friends and
co-workers," said Pauline Tapping, an OPSEU Regional
Vice-President and Civil Litigation Clerk at the courthouse. "I
had asthma but now over the last few months, I’m on puffers. My
friends and co-workers who sit near me, one out of six is now on a
puffer, they never used to be on puffers."
Court operations will be transferred to other locations in
Newmarket until the cleanup is complete. "No one is going to be
laid off because of this," said OPSEU Local 310 steward Val
Erwin. "We have received assurances that all of our members are
needed and even if it means that they may have to stay home a few days
while transfers are arranged, they will be paid."
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For further information:
Bill Trbovich 416-448-7400/561-5613
Bob DeMatteo 416-723-8364
