Communication Workers of America

May 30, 2007

Bruce Nigro, Director
Essex County Division of Welfare
18 Rector Street , 9th Floor
Newark , NJ , 07102

Re: TB Patient Isolated After Taking Two Flights

Dear Mr. Nigro:

Attached, please find an article published within today's edition of The New York Times entitled "TB Patient is Isolated After Taking Two Fights". Please note the report recounts the fact that theTB patient is infected with the same virulent strain of tuberculosis, XDR TB, of which CWA Local 1081 wrote to you within our attached letter of May 5, 2007 expressing our concern for the well being of our Union's members who might come into contact with clients knowingly, or unknowingly, infected with this deadly scourge.

Please note, as well, your attached written response of May 15, 2007 to our Union's letter written you of May 3, 2007 in which you downplayed the extent of the possible threat XDR TB poses to our members, this based upon statistics you personally researched. CWA Local 1081 responded to your letter within our attached missive of May 21, 2007, in which we took small solace with your assertion that you "'regularly visit the offices'", introduce yourself to clients "and shake their hands". Please recall that our Union emailed to the entirety of the employees of the Essex County Division of Welfare the attached article of May 28, 2007 published within The Chicago Tribune entitled "Study: Drug-resistant staph infections rise in poor neighborhoods".

Based upon all of the above, CWA Local 1081 is reiterating our respectfully fervent request you take a proactive approach to our concerns, particularly within the light of the recent published media reports we've furnished you, and that you soon arrange a meeting that shall include Essex County Health Office Michael Festa and a respective representation of the management of the Division of Welfare and CWA Local.

Sincerely,

David H. Weiner, President, CWA Local 1081