Res. No. 1075
Resolution calling upon the Mayor of the City of New York to expand the policy of granting City employees time off with pay to undergo an initial screening or treatment evaluation for 9/11-related illnesses, by allowing such time to also be taken for the purpose of receiving necessary medical treatment for such illnesses, and by increasing the maximum allowable amount of time off with pay.
By Council Members Brewer, Dickens, Fidler, Gennaro, Gentile, Gerson, Gonzalez, Jackson, James, Mark-Viverito, Nelson, Palma, Recchia Jr., Sanders Jr., Sears, Weprin and Oddo
Whereas, An estimated 100,000 responders participated in the rescue and recovery operations in New York City following the attacks of September 11th and hundreds of thousands of people were exposed or potentially exposed to dust, particulates and other environmental contaminants, as well as exposed to deeply traumatic events; and
Whereas, It is well documented that many of these responders are now suffering from mental and physical illnesses as a result of these traumatic events and exposure to very high levels of toxic chemicals and debris particles; and
Whereas, Since many of these illnesses are chronic and/or late-emerging, medical monitoring is vital to enable doctors to be prepared for and to maximize the chances of successfully treating these patients; and
Whereas, The City has three clinics that specialize in the monitoring and treatment of September 11th-related illnesses, which offer medical monitoring and treatment services to all those who responded, including uniformed and non-uniformed City workers, residents and volunteers; and
Whereas, These three clinics are the FDNY Medical Screening and Treatment Program, the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring program at Mt. Sinai, and the World Trade Center Environmental Health Center at Bellevue Hospital; and
Whereas, Testimony heard at a March 30, 2007 hearing by the City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor indicates that many eligible City employees who need medical attention for 9/11-related illnesses are deterred from seeking treatment and monitoring at these centers because they would have to take time off from work and visit these doctors on their own time; and
Whereas, On July 30, 2007, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg instructed City agencies to grant City employees an excused absence up to four hours with pay for an initial screening or treatment evaluation at the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program or the Bellevue World Trade Center Environmental Health Center; and
Whereas, After receiving such initial screening or treatment evaluation, some City employees may need to undergo additional medical treatment requiring more visits, but may be reluctant to seek such help, since they would need to take more time off from work; and
Whereas, Such obstacles to receiving proper medical care would likely have negative effects on the health of City workers, as well as result in decreased employee productivity and retention rates; and
Whereas, Responders to the 9/11 attacks included City workers from many agencies, including the New York City Police Department, the Fire Department of New York City, Emergency Medical Services, and the Departments of Correction and Sanitation; and
Whereas, These brave men and women risked their lives to help others and performed their duties admirably in the City’s time of need, and the City should therefore support their efforts to obtain needed medical care; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Mayor of the City of New York to expand the policy of granting City employees time off with pay to undergo an initial screening or treatment evaluation for 9/11-related illnesses, by allowing such time to also be taken for the purpose of receiving necessary medical treatment for such illnesses, and by increasing the maximum allowable amount of time off with pay.
EEC
9/24/07 10:50 AM
LS# 3700