MANHATTAN — Workers at the New York Department of State were tired of working in a state of fear and disgust.
Vermin, some the size of small pets, had infested their downtown office space earlier this year, leaving their putrid scent and excrement in their wake.
“I had to clean (droppings) every day before I started working,” said one worker who asked to remain anonymous. “It was literally all over the place.”
While CSEA activists and staff met with agency and building management to address the problem, it seemed that the problem was not being addressed with the urgency it deserved.
On walkthroughs, huge holes where rodents entered had still not been patched and droppings, shriveled papers and other signs of a severe infestation were still clearly visible. The ghastly presence of over a dozen peanut butter-laced traps also lined a wall as if they were potted plants.
One employee even became so ill earlier this year that she suffered an asthma attack and was taken to the hospital.
Some of her co-workers were sick and tired of their Monday morning routines of cleaning their desks and work areas of droppings and papers chewed up by the rodents.
They had seen and smelled enough and were able to get the attention of a local news channel that ran a high-profile exclusive on the situation.
CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Specialist Jeff Hyman also filed a complaint with the state Public Employees Safety and Health (PESH) Bureau.
Within days, the matter was addressed, according to Hyman.
While New York state does not own the property, it is still the responsibility of the state to provide a safe workplace for its employees.
Bridget Coleman, Department of State secretary, being interviewed by NY 1 in front of the building, earlier this year.
“The rats were coming into a workplace where people have to work every day,” said Bridget Coleman, a Department of State secretary and CSEA New York City State Employees Local activist. “That’s not reasonable.”
The agency’s customer service department gets a high volume of customers who come for a variety of services, including licenses to operate small businesses. Ironically, the agency also houses the Division of Building Standards and Codes.
CSEA Metropolitan Region President Lester Crockett said no worker should ever be forced to work under such conditions.
“Our members come in every day to serve the public and make revenue for the state of New York,” said Crockett. “Surely, is it too much to ask for a clean, safe and healthy environment?”
— David Galarza
