More than 300 members filled Local 237’s Marguerite Feinstein Hall on Saturday, Mar. 10, to learn about protections provided by law to workers who develop an illness related to their participation in the 9/11 recovery efforts whether as paid employees or volunteers. “A lot of people stepped forward to say they suffer from asthma and lung diseases,” noted Local 237 Director of Health and Safety Donald Arnold, who coordinated the event. “Members were grateful for the meeting, which was held on Saturday when they could attend.”


Expert Advice

Arnold, with the support of then-President Carl Haynes and then-Secretary-Treasurer Gregory Floyd, brought together experts to explain the complex 9/11 laws and the protections it grants participants who register with NYCERS and the State of New York Workers’ Compensation Board.

Local 237 members who participated in recovery work fill out registration forms.

Among the experts who made presentations were Neil Abramson, a Workers’ Compensation attorney; Diane Stein, director of Outreach and Education at the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program Clinical Center at Mt. Sinai Hospital; Local 237 Recording Secretary Pat Stryker, a trustee on NYCERS’ board; and Retiree Division Assistant Director Winston George.

Many Local 237 titles were represented among the attendees, including school safety agents, evidence and property control specialists, photographers, stock workers, CUNY peace officers, maintenance workers, Housing caretakers, hospital police officers, Long Island Division titles, and others.

Experts in World Trade Center law protections take a break from helping members register at the meeting.

During the meeting, members registered with NYCERS and the Workers’ Compensation Board, a requirement to claim future disability benefits for diseases linked to exposure to toxic elements on or near Ground Zero. “It was a very productive meeting,” Arnold said, adding that the deadline to register for NYCERS is June 13, 2007, and for the Workers’ Compensation Board, Aug. 14, 2007.

Members who missed the meeting and have not registered are being urged not to delay. For NYCERS registration forms call 347-643-3000, and for Workers’ Compensation Board registration forms call Neil Abramson at 212-964-3300.