April 30, 2009
Joyce Wilson Harley, Esq., Administrator
County of Essex
Hall of Records
465 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Rm. 510
Newark, NJ, 07102
Re: Swine Flu Virus
Dear Ms. Wilson Harley:
CWA Local 1081 respectfully submits this request the County of Essex arrange to have the Essex County Sanitarian Health Officer, Dr. Michael Festa, meet with our Union as very soon as is possible to discuss the worldwide and nationwide outbreak of the Swine Flu Virus. In addition, we request Dr. Rambaran present as well. Our Union is in support of a similar request concurrently, but respectively, made by the management of the Essex County Division of Welfare.
Inasmuch as the members of our Union routinely meet within close proximity with clients emanating from throughout the United States, as well as from countries throughout our entire earth, they have become understandably concerned about their own safety and that of their family members to whom they return each evening after their workday. Approximately 30,000 clients each month visit our agency’s offices.
A female client visited yesterday our agency’s Office of Medicaid Services seeking proof of her daughter’s Medicaid coverage inasmuch as the client had misplaced the daughter’s Medicaid ID card. The client reportedly revealed to the Family Service Worker, and a Family Service Supervisor, that both she and her daughter had contracted the Swine Flu Virus and they needed the Medicaid verification so they could seek treatment for their malignant medical malady.
Having perused the agenda of last evening’s regular public meeting of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, CWA Local 1081 notes that within Resolution #33 the County has sagely renewed its contract with Dr. Festa. According to the Scope of Services for Health Officer (Sanitarian) Services contained within Dr. Festa’s contract with the County of Essex:
- Contractor shall review plans, protocols, procedures, reports and other relevant documents to carry out the findings and conclusion of the County concerning environmental health incidents, surveys, investigations and inspections, and perform other services appropriate to the office of a licensed Health Officer as specified in the County’s Environmental Health Plan and within the required timelines.
Attached, please find the memorandum of April 28, 2009 CWA Local 1081 had written our members regarding information gleaned from the Internet and other media sources.
Our Union thanks you, in advance, for your anticipated expeditious cooperation with this sincere supplication.
Yours truly,
David H. Weiner, President
CWA Local 1081