Contact: Joe Smydo, jsmydo@usw.org, 412-562-228
(ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands) – The United Steelworkers (USW) today called on Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. to immediately relocate union members working in deplorable conditions at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) in St. Croix.
About 26 members of USW Local 8248 and USW Local 9489 work for the BMV in structurally deficient trailers at the Patrick Sweeney Police Headquarters. These workers and the public they serve face crumbling floors, water-damaged walls and moldy ceilings, among other threats to their health and safety at the termite-infested BMV offices.
“The workers have a collective bargaining agreement that requires the government to provide safe working conditions and gives them means to enforce the government’s obligations if they’re placed in harm’s way,” said USW District 9 Director Daniel Flippo, who leads tens of thousands of union members in the U.S. Virgin Islands and seven Southern states.
“They perform essential services and want nothing more than to continue serving the public. But they can only do that if the government finally steps up and honors its obligations, which will also protect the public who visit these offices,” Flippo continued.
The USW is demanding an emergency meeting with Bryan, legislators and other officials to resolve the health and safety threats.
“It’s unconscionable for the government to put its citizens at risk,” Flippo said. “We stand ready to assist Gov. Bryan in finding a common-sense alternative that protects workers and the public.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations.