FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 7, 2001

Mouldy courthouse to close

TORONTO: The Attorney General has announced that the Etobicoke courthouse will be closed as soon as possible, to end chronic exposure to toxic mould.

The move follows a walkout Thursday by union workers protesting the mould and poor health conditions in the elderly building at 80 The East Mall.

"It’s amazing how fast they moved," said Florence Clarke, a steward with Local 551 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. "I have no doubt at all our walkout was what accelerated the decision."

Clarke said management told the courthouse staff at a meeting Friday morning that arrangements would be made quickly to move them all to healthier buildings.

The decision will be beneficial, not just for the court clerks and reporters, but for judges and lawyers who also work in the building, and for members of the public whose lives bring them into the world of the courts.

Problems in the East Mall court included high levels of carbon dioxide, mould and inadequate ventilation. Workers experienced such symptoms as frequent nosebleeds, mouth sores, blurred vision, nausea, respiratory problems and violent headaches. When the courts were set up in the renovated warehouse 24 years ago it was seen as a temporary measure until a proper courthouse could be built.

The Newmarket courthouse was closed a year ago June because of mould after a similar action by OPSEU members there. Mould has also been identified and removed from courthouses in Dryden, St. Thomas, Hamilton, Kingston, Brampton and Oshawa.

Previous News Releases September 6, 2001 : Workers walk out of courthouse over bad air

For further information:

Katie FitzRandolph (OPSEU Communications) www.opseu.org (w) 4