Dear SFSU Members, President Wong has announced that the Science Building will be closed for the entire Spring semester to address the presence of lead, asbestos, and mercury. There are lots of questions regarding health concerns and possible exposure, what will happen with your job assignments that were in the building, and what will happen to any research or other property inside the building. As union members, health and safety is a very important issue and the communication and involvement of our members is important to ensure the safety for all of the students, GTA’s, faculty, and staff that work in the building. We are working closely with support from the UAW International Health & Safety Department to analyze and review all data and communication. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected] or call us at (916) 498-8452. The University has set up a website at buildingclosure.sfsu.edu/ that has information regarding the closure of the Science Building. Dr. Alastair Smith, Director of Student Health Services recommended that “If you have a significant health problem, are considering pregnancy, are pregnant or breast feeding I would recommend that you contact your health care provider.” If you see a medical provider, please indicate that it is a possible exposure in your workplace. You will have to fill out a workers compensation form and will be directed to go to St. Francis hospital to be evaluated. If you do not have health insurance, we encourage you to go to the student health center. To make an appointment, please go to health.sfsu.edu/ . SFSU has also set up a hotline at (415) 405-4000 that will attempt to answer any questions you have. In regards to work assignments for GTA’s and Graduate Assistants and Tutors or Graders who may be working in the building, the university is working to get alternative work spaces for instructions, labs, office space, and research labs. Please contact your supervisor if you have any questions about where you will be working. If you have materials or property that needs to be removed from the building, please contact your department so that material can be tagged, cleaned, and delivered to you. Please be aware that the process of removing property and materials will take several weeks to process. If you have further questions or concerns about exposure while in the Science Buiding, please email us at [email protected]. In Solidarity, UAW Local 4123
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 02:58:24 +0000