Library Workers Combat Mold

When several employees of the Boston Public Library complained of respiratory problems, CWA Local 1333 took action. Through their joint safety and health committee they requested a private study by an industrial hygienist, followed by an inspection by the state's Division of Occupational Safety.

The inspections found that the problems were due to mold in the duct work of the main library building and in the pages of about 20 percent of the library's books including valuable tomes in the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department.

Health problems associated with mold include headaches, eye and skin irritation, asthma and other respiratory symptoms. The committee continues to meet monthly to evaluate the progress being made to eliminate the dangerous microbial growth.

Local 1333 represents about 142 library workers including frontline librarians throughout Boston's central library and 27 branches.

Their labor agreement provides for a joint safety and health committee. The committee consists of four CWA members, four from AFSCME and four from management.

"It's been very important that we've had this provision in our contract," said Karen Shafts, CWA co-chair of the committee. "For the last 16 years there have been renovations to library buildings and there have been a lot of problems to deal with. We had to file an unfair labor practice suit for the right to have an industrial hygienist inspect construction sites."

The state inspector recommended continued cleaning and disinfection of both inside and exterior of the duct work, modification of the air conditioning system to prevent future condensation that would allow new mold spores to spread, and treatment of the contaminated books with a special vacuum cleaner that traps the spores and prevents them from recirculating.

Improvements are being made. Said Shafts, "We've been monitoring management's response. They're slowly but surely trying to address theses issues."