WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced a victory for workers at the Ironton Social Security Administration (SAA) Office that is contaminated with mold. Brown has repeatedly called on the Obama Administration to close the contaminated facility, relocate workers, and expedite the construction of the new building. Today, the Social Security Administration (SAA) announced that it would close the facility today and that workers will be deployed to Gallipolis, Portsmouth, Ashland, Ky., and Huntington W. Va. Workers will be receiving travel time and mileage compensation.
“No Ohioan should have to risk health and safety simply by going to work each day,” Brown said. “It’s unacceptable that workers in Ironton were forced to wait this long, but I’m relieved that we’re finally seeing action from the SSA. I remain committed to seeing the timely completion of the new Ironton office and will continue to keep up the pressure on the Obama Administration to ensure safe conditions for the employees and the public."
Black mold was first identified at the Ironton office in 2009 and nine of 11 workers have filed individual worker’s compensation claims along with a group grievance. Brown wrote to the General Service Administration, the SSA, and the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the Ironton workers, asking the government to construct a new building and to transfer the workers to different facilities during construction.
###
