Hello Everyone!
You're here because you're affected by the sick building, you're concerned about your health or others and you want to be informed. This website is specifically created to address those concerns! We've compiled some studies regarding the effects of water-damaged building to our health. We've also compiled stories, reports, and pictures to keep you informed. We will keep this site updated as more information becomes available regarding issues in the building.
Do you ever dread going to work?
The following letter was to sent to the Governor Parnell in February 2012
Posted with permission from Jade Bickmore
Do you ever dread going to work? Many of my coworkers and I do. Not because of the stress, the work or the people we work with, it is because of the environment that we work in each and every day and how it makes us feel.
I work in the State of Alaska, Department of Labor building in Juneau or as it is called the “Plywood Palace”. Over the past several years the building has been plagued with multiple floods, leaking roof, pipes and windows. All during this time people that work in the building have reported a variety of illnesses and allergy symptoms that have increased in both frequency and severity. The symptoms reported include: sneezing, headaches, burning eyes, sinus pain and pressure, cough, sinus infections, hives/rashes, pressure on the chest, difficulty breathing, light headedness, burning throat, asthma, respiratory infections and memory loss or brain fog. Yet when outside of the building the symptoms subside or disappear completely, only to return when you come back in the building. Many people have suffered in silence thinking that their symptoms were unique or they were intimidated or pressured into keeping their symptoms quiet or risk retaliation or possible loss of job.
The ill effects that some people experience while in the building are more than just a minor irritation; it also affects their ability to focus, to concentrate and to do their jobs. I recently had a severe allergic reaction that required me to take time off of work to recover. I am currently working with my doctors on treatment but continued exposure to the allergens might affect the treatment’s success.
The health issues and complaints are not new to either the building owners or the state. In an article reported on June 29, 2007 in the Juneau Empire, it was report that Alaska State Employees Association filed a class-action grievance against the state over working conditions and is still open. Recently, we thought we had finally made progress when the legislature funded $2 million for the planning of a new state office building that would house both Labor and Fish & Game employees. It came down to one of two sites one in the valley and one downtown then with no explanation, it was announced that the state would not build a new building but would remodel the Douglas Fish & Game office. The plagued Labor building was not even mentioned in the official announcement and what/or if they planned to do anything with the building or the people that have continued to have problems.
On February 1, 2012 around 50 people that work in the Labor building met with union representatives from Alaska State Employees Association and Alaska Public Employees Association. They met to discuss the ongoing issues of the building and the fact that in November 2011 they once again found mold, even after the previous work done on the building. It was also discussed that the state is in current negotiations with the building owners as the current lease expires on June 30, 2012. If the lease is signed we could be stuck in the current conditions for up to 5 or more years.
It is really sad when politics get in the way of a healthy work environment and when you have to decide on your heath or your job. My fear is that more and more of us will have to decide that for our health we will have to leave the jobs that we love.
Respectfully,
Jade Bickmore
[email protected]
I work in the State of Alaska, Department of Labor building in Juneau or as it is called the “Plywood Palace”. Over the past several years the building has been plagued with multiple floods, leaking roof, pipes and windows. All during this time people that work in the building have reported a variety of illnesses and allergy symptoms that have increased in both frequency and severity. The symptoms reported include: sneezing, headaches, burning eyes, sinus pain and pressure, cough, sinus infections, hives/rashes, pressure on the chest, difficulty breathing, light headedness, burning throat, asthma, respiratory infections and memory loss or brain fog. Yet when outside of the building the symptoms subside or disappear completely, only to return when you come back in the building. Many people have suffered in silence thinking that their symptoms were unique or they were intimidated or pressured into keeping their symptoms quiet or risk retaliation or possible loss of job.
The ill effects that some people experience while in the building are more than just a minor irritation; it also affects their ability to focus, to concentrate and to do their jobs. I recently had a severe allergic reaction that required me to take time off of work to recover. I am currently working with my doctors on treatment but continued exposure to the allergens might affect the treatment’s success.
The health issues and complaints are not new to either the building owners or the state. In an article reported on June 29, 2007 in the Juneau Empire, it was report that Alaska State Employees Association filed a class-action grievance against the state over working conditions and is still open. Recently, we thought we had finally made progress when the legislature funded $2 million for the planning of a new state office building that would house both Labor and Fish & Game employees. It came down to one of two sites one in the valley and one downtown then with no explanation, it was announced that the state would not build a new building but would remodel the Douglas Fish & Game office. The plagued Labor building was not even mentioned in the official announcement and what/or if they planned to do anything with the building or the people that have continued to have problems.
On February 1, 2012 around 50 people that work in the Labor building met with union representatives from Alaska State Employees Association and Alaska Public Employees Association. They met to discuss the ongoing issues of the building and the fact that in November 2011 they once again found mold, even after the previous work done on the building. It was also discussed that the state is in current negotiations with the building owners as the current lease expires on June 30, 2012. If the lease is signed we could be stuck in the current conditions for up to 5 or more years.
It is really sad when politics get in the way of a healthy work environment and when you have to decide on your heath or your job. My fear is that more and more of us will have to decide that for our health we will have to leave the jobs that we love.
Respectfully,
Jade Bickmore
[email protected]