Remember
Workers
To
the Editors:
I
received Nancy Dyes letter today on the WTC attack and I thought
I would add a comment that I feel important. All of our thoughts
and prayers are with all who are suffering now.
I currently serve as the Organizing Coordinator of SEIU Local 32BJ
in the NYC metropolitan area. We represent 70,000 workers who maintain
office and apartment buildings thought NY, NJ and CT. We had 1,200
members who worked at the WTC as cleaners, window cleaners, security
guards and concession workers. 350 worked in the daytime. 26 are
still missing and presumed to have perished.
Much has been said about the heroic NYC police and firefighters.
They deserve the praise. It is equally important to acknowledge
the heroic acts of the everyday workers who made the Trade Center
work. Many knew the building from over 25 years of service and helped
rescue hundreds of people from the buildings when the first fires
erupted.
Although we are grateful that only 26 of our 2,000 members who have
lost their jobs in the WTC and buildings around it. Although they
have a union which has helped them through the next six months and
will eventually find them a job in the industry, the living are
suffering also.
Just as Mother Jones said over 100 years ago: Mourn the dead and
fightlike hell for the living. Thus, we must continue to struggle
to improve all peoples lives while we try to nail down and
punish these evil culprits.
Kevin Brown
OC 87
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