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CNN Saturday Morning News

Postal Workers Union Demands Shut-Down of Processing Center

Aired October 27, 2001 - 09:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: An ultimatum from postal workers in New York: The workers union says shut down a mail processing center or face a lawsuit.

For the latest on the anthrax scare in New York, we go live to CNN's Jason Carroll for more.

Hi, Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Kyra.

I can tell you that this postal facility is open despite all the concerns from many of the workers who work here. In fact, the city's postal workers' union says it will sue of the Morgan Processing Center is not shut down during an environmental cleanup.

This is the city's largest mail processing center. Health officials found anthrax on four mail-sorting machines up on the third floor. Those machines are being cleaned, they're being sterilized, and they will be retested before they are put back into service.

At least two anthrax-laced letters, one sent to NBC and one sent to "The New York Post," were passed through the New York City mail system. As a precaution, Cipro has been offered to several thousand mail employees. The Postal Service says that this facility is safe for the workers to show up and attend work during the environmental cleanup, but the postal union says they don't buy that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID SOLOMAN, U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: They're doing a great job, they truly are. They sincerely want to come to work and do the right thing. We in the Postal Service value employees, number one, in their health and safety, and their families. Then we look at the job. And we rely on the health professionals who so far, to date, as of 3:15 this afternoon, have told us that the area that needs to be cleaned in Morgan right now is what we call the third floor, south side, it's approximately -- and don't quote me on this -- I guess around 15,000 square feet of a 2 million square feet building.

And that's being done by the outside professionals licensed to do this kind of work.

(END VIDEO CLIP) (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM SMITH, NEW YORK METRO AREA POSTAL UNION: What we are telling the workers is very simple. Do not go in the building. And of those that have might gone in, we're going to find a way to get them out of building. And we want them to understand that they're putting a risk in their own hands if they go in there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: And as you heard there, the postal union is encouraging its workers not to show up at this facility. The Postal Service says that anyone who is concerned about showing up here for work can also show up at any one of the other five facilities and work there while the environmental cleanup is being conducted.

Also we should tell you, Kyra, that 60 workers here at this facility were tested as a precaution, and we're still waiting for those test results -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. When we get those, we will check back in with you. Jason Carroll, live from New York, thanks so much -- Martin.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Meanwhile, investigators are also focusing on New Jersey in their search for the source of anthrax threats.

CNN's Brian Palmer joins us live from Trenton with the latest there.

Good morning, Brian.

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Martin.

We are indeed in front of the Trenton Processing and Distribution Center in Hamilton Township. Law enforcement officials tell us the investigation into the anthrax incidents in New Jersey continues, as it has for several days now.

This facility here in Hamilton Township is the only facility where anthrax has been detected. But the investigation continues throughout various locations in the state. We will not be reporting on anything until we actually have confirmation of that.

Now, this facility, the inside is actually closed to the public, also closed to workers. But they're conducting business in the parking lot. Business continues as usual -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Brian, is there concern on the part of postal workers there, even though they're not in that particular facility, are they angry about how they were treated, or perhaps not properly treated, at the beginning?

PALMER: Martin, we haven't talked to any postal workers here this morning. But from our discussions in the past, from our discussions in New York, there is definite concern that they're not getting the information that they think that they need to make the decision about whether to take Cipro, whether to not take Cipro, these sort of things.

They feel like they need more information, and they need the Postal Service to be more forthcoming -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: And any idea how much longer that facility behind you is going to remain closed?

PALMER: We have no idea. They say as long as it takes to conduct the investigation properly and to make sure that workers are safe and protected from any possible threats -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: CNN's Brian Palmer joining us from Trenton, New Jersey, this morning, thanks.

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