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09/13/2007
Toxic Legacy
Expanded TCE probe might provide clues to Endwell cancer cluster ...read
story
Cancer
study may focus on IBM files.
Health officials' proposal would examine illness rate of workers
at Endicott plant...read
story
Endicott stands at crossroads on pollution.
Village faces major decision on TCE study.
read story
|
IBM Fishkill workers
are reporting that 2 buildings might have high Lead levels. Workers are being
tested and are concerned. For information on lead exposure see link: Lead
& the Workplace
If you have further
information or need to contact us, please send e-mail to the Webmaster
from your personal e-mail address.
The
Ultimate Take Away - Your Health
Throughout our
careers and work at IBM we made many assumptions based on what we were told
by company management.
We assumed we would have a good pension. We assumed we would have medical
benefits and they would be free. We assumed that if we did a good job and
played by the rules we would be respected and stay employed until we chose
to leave.
We also assumed
that IBM was a safe place to work and employees and their communities would
be safe from the toxic bombardments we saw with other companies. That assumption,
like others, has been misleading. Employees and their families have been faced
with the ultimate take away-their health and their lives.
Many of you, no
doubt, saw the results of the lawsuit in San Jose, where former IBM employees
sued IBM for what they alleged was IBM’s neglect in adequately protecting
them from the ravages of working with toxic chemicals.
For those of us
that worked in IBM’s manufacturing plants through the 1960’s,
70’ and 80’s we know full well that there was something just not
right. We are seeing not only our own health affected but former co-workers
as well.
In Endicott, workers
for many years suspected that the chemicals they worked with in Buildings
18 and 47 caused health problems. Women employees felt there was a higher
than normal rate of miscarriages and birth defects. Many employees complained
of lung ailments and skin rashes. Still others suffered with cancers and tumors.
All the while management and company doctors tried to convince employees that
it was their own individual problem or allergy. Workers were also told “if
you don’t like working here then quit”.
It was clear to employees that regardless of complaints production would not
be disrupted.
In a New York Times article about a lawsuit by former Fishkill IBM employees,
the mother of a daughter who died from cancer said “I think our daughter
and others have been the byproduct of greed over safety. The company was more
concerned with making the dollar than with the safety of their employees.
They knew there were hazards but they closed their eyes to them to keep the
line moving.”
Tthe lawsuit in
San Jose was significant; However, It is not the first and it will not be
the last. Hopewell Junction and Endicott are in battles with the company over
toxic plumes that have polluted their communities and IBM employees and retirees
across the country are keeping a watchful eye for more developments on chemical
exposures and their health. While the focus has been on IBM’s clean
rooms, IBMers know the problem goes way beyond clean rooms. Many IBM employees
were exposed to chemicals in many different work areas and processes.
For IBM there
will be no peace and no rest until there is justice for IBMers living with
and dying from toxic time bombs.
•
Amanda
(Mandy) Hawes, Attorney at Law
Alexander, Hawes & Audet, LLP
152 North Third Street,
Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95112-7711
Office Phone: (408) 289-1776 Cell Phone: (415) 987-1776 Email:
ahawes@alexanderlaw.com
•ACTUAL
STUDY:
Mortality
among US employees of a large computer manufacturing company: 1969-2001 -
Dr. Richard W Clapp
•
Alliance@IBM
Press Release:
Excessive Cancer
Deaths Found Among IBM Manufacturing Employees
•
Cancer
rates higher near IBM Endicott spill.
Study: Spike in kidney, testicular malignancies.
•
Resource:
Endicott
Chemical Spills Articles Archive
•
Fact & Information Sheet: Endicott
Area Investigations - Town of Union, Broome County, NY
•
IBM/Philips
site workers log illness
Archive:
IBM
Vermont Plant "Honored" With 2004 Dirty Dozen Award
•
IBM
releases health study data Workers at 3 plants were not at risk, computer
giant says
•
Vapor
intrusion focus of hearing on polluted sites. Witnesses urge state, federal
agencies to push for cleanup.
•
Retirement
Security. Congressman Maurice Hinchey speaks about Retirement Health Benefits.
• Alliance
gathers data on IBM workers' health. Survey asks about chemical exposure
• Poll
shows lack of knowledge on electronics working conditions.
• CAFOD
report: dire working conditions in computer production.
•
Chip
industry to study potential cancer risks for workers
•
The
Man Who Knew Too Much - by Michael Blanding
A BU professor fights to publicize his report claiming there's a link between
cancer deaths and IBM plants. But Big Blue is doing all it can to stop him.
•
Cancer
claims ex-IBM plaintiff Moore said lawsuit was chance to talk about chemicals.
•
I.B.M. Agrees
to Take Steps to Clean Up Polluted Soil
•
Comments of US Representative
Maurice Hinchey,
Public Hearing NY State Assembly Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation
Endicott, New York November 15, 2004
•
Rick
White's Speech to CNYCOSH
• Alliance
believes IBM should do the right thing
•
Rep (D), Congressman Hinchey leads a panel on
Toxic
Exposure Issues Impacting Former IBM Workers and Residents
• Forum
on IBM breaks silence - Whistle-blower stresses the 'cause' of worker
safety.
• Plan
calls for ongoing contamination studies.
Residents ask for documented risks
• IBM
San Jose Trial Archive
