TORONTO, ON, Canada — After rejecting the latest contract offer, about 300 janitors have walked off the job at Terminal 1 at Pearson International Airport, according to The Toronto Star.
The janitors, represented by Local 183 of the Labourers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), have left management staff with no other option but to perform the duties themselves until a contract is agreed upon, the story stated.
The Greater Toronto Airport Authority said that passengers could see an impact in cleanliness, but they are not anticipating it to be issue, the story noted.
Michael O'Brian, spokesperson for LIUNA Local 183, said: "The belief is that the scope of the work and the amount of work has increased in magnitude, but the wages have not. It was the individuals in the bargaining unit who were upset and we represent their interests."
The strike began shortly after midnight on Friday, August 14 and it remains unclear if and when it will end, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Three major hotel companies green their headquarters
WASHINGTON — Three of the largest hotel companies in the United States have taken major steps to green their headquarters, moves that are likely to filter down to chain locations, according to GreenerBuildings.
Wyndham Worldwide, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, is seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for Commercial Interiors for their headquarters and expects a Silver-level certification by early 2010, the story stated.
Hilton Hotels Corporation recently moved its headquarters from Beverly Hills to an 11-story, 323,000-square-foot LEED Gold-certified building in McLean, Virginia, the story noted.
Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott International is seeking LEED certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (OB&M), the story added.
According to the release, all three companies are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and cut down on waste by adopting, among other initiatives, low-flow fixtures, energy-efficient roofing systems, low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting materials, energy-efficient lighting and rainwater recovery systems.
Wyndham Worldwide, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, is seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for Commercial Interiors for their headquarters and expects a Silver-level certification by early 2010, the story stated.
Hilton Hotels Corporation recently moved its headquarters from Beverly Hills to an 11-story, 323,000-square-foot LEED Gold-certified building in McLean, Virginia, the story noted.
Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott International is seeking LEED certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (OB&M), the story added.
According to the release, all three companies are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and cut down on waste by adopting, among other initiatives, low-flow fixtures, energy-efficient roofing systems, low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting materials, energy-efficient lighting and rainwater recovery systems.
Judge flattens cleaning lady's tire
LA PLATA, MD — The cleaning lady at the Charles County Courthouse was the victim of a childish misdeed after she discovered that the air was let out of the rear passenger side tire of her 2004 Toyota Corolla, according to The Washington Post.
According to the story, Jean Washington had just arrived to start her shift Monday afternoon when a sheriff's deputy warned her that Judge Robert Nalley was going to let the air out of her tire if she didn't move her car.
When Washington went to move her car, it was already too late; her tire was flat, the story stated.
A jail officer confirmed Washington's suspicion of Nalley by capturing the incident with pictures from the camera on his cellular telephone, the story noted.
Washington said: "When I actually saw that my tire was flat, I was almost in tears, and not because of the fact that the air was out of my tire. It was because of who did it."
There is an ongoing investigation into the matter, and even though there is picture evidence, nobody has been changed as of yet, the story added.
According to the article, one of the officers was kind enough to lend a hand and inflate Washington's tire with a pump.
Click here to read the complete article.
According to the story, Jean Washington had just arrived to start her shift Monday afternoon when a sheriff's deputy warned her that Judge Robert Nalley was going to let the air out of her tire if she didn't move her car.
When Washington went to move her car, it was already too late; her tire was flat, the story stated.
A jail officer confirmed Washington's suspicion of Nalley by capturing the incident with pictures from the camera on his cellular telephone, the story noted.
Washington said: "When I actually saw that my tire was flat, I was almost in tears, and not because of the fact that the air was out of my tire. It was because of who did it."
There is an ongoing investigation into the matter, and even though there is picture evidence, nobody has been changed as of yet, the story added.
According to the article, one of the officers was kind enough to lend a hand and inflate Washington's tire with a pump.
Click here to read the complete article.
Janitor tries to sell stolen medical equipment
IRVINE, CA — A janitor at Kaiser Permanente Hospital has been arrested on charges of suspicion of grand theft and possession of stolen property for allegedly stealing $150,000 worth of medical equipment and attempting to sell it to a used medical supply dealer, according to the Orange County Register.
Luis Curiel was arrested by the Irvine Police Department after Lee Allard, president of Pre-owned Endoscopes Inc., became suspicious because Curiel was trying to sell the equipment for prices far below its market value, the story stated.
According to the story, the equipment was worth $60,000 retail, but Curiel was selling it for only $24,000.
Allard, who met with Curiel in a hotel room where he wrote down the serial numbers to the equipment, later called the equipment manufacturer and the hospital before determining the situation was suspicious, the story noted.
Allard said: "I thought it was ridiculously low priced, so that set off a red flag, and he wanted cash only, not a business check. Also, the equipment usually comes in a carrying case, and it was just loose. I'm really glad I didn't end up holding the bag. Let the buyer beware, and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is."
Two Olympus endoscopes, which police believe were stolen sometime in July, have been recovered; the rest of Kaiser Hospital's missing equipment has yet to be located, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Luis Curiel was arrested by the Irvine Police Department after Lee Allard, president of Pre-owned Endoscopes Inc., became suspicious because Curiel was trying to sell the equipment for prices far below its market value, the story stated.
According to the story, the equipment was worth $60,000 retail, but Curiel was selling it for only $24,000.
Allard, who met with Curiel in a hotel room where he wrote down the serial numbers to the equipment, later called the equipment manufacturer and the hospital before determining the situation was suspicious, the story noted.
Allard said: "I thought it was ridiculously low priced, so that set off a red flag, and he wanted cash only, not a business check. Also, the equipment usually comes in a carrying case, and it was just loose. I'm really glad I didn't end up holding the bag. Let the buyer beware, and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is."
Two Olympus endoscopes, which police believe were stolen sometime in July, have been recovered; the rest of Kaiser Hospital's missing equipment has yet to be located, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Boise's first LEED Gold-certified building
BOISE, ID — Ada County recently received its first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification with the recognition of the Assessor's Office and the Indigent Services Department into the Civic Plaza complex from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to the Idaho Statesman.
According to the story, this marks the sixth LEED certification for the county, but the first at the Gold level.
The LEED-specific features for the Assessor's Office and Indigent Services Department office remodel projects include: Energy Star technology; using recycled construction waste; energy-efficient lighting; and a storm water management system, the story stated.
The project was awarded "Best Green Building Project under $5 million" by the Intermountain Contractor magazine in 2008, the story noted.
A central recycling center was incorporated into the building as a way to further promote sustainability, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
According to the story, this marks the sixth LEED certification for the county, but the first at the Gold level.
The LEED-specific features for the Assessor's Office and Indigent Services Department office remodel projects include: Energy Star technology; using recycled construction waste; energy-efficient lighting; and a storm water management system, the story stated.
The project was awarded "Best Green Building Project under $5 million" by the Intermountain Contractor magazine in 2008, the story noted.
A central recycling center was incorporated into the building as a way to further promote sustainability, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
EPA fines nation's largest manufacturer of hospital-grade disinfectants
ALLENDALE, NJ — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently settled a third pesticide enforcement case against Lonza Inc., the nation’s largest manufacturer of hospital-grade disinfectants, for multiple violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) — the federal law that regulates pesticides, according to a press release.
The combined fines for all three cases exceeds $640,000, making it one of the largest civil penalties assessed under FIFRA, the release stated.
George Pavlou, acting EPA regional administrator, said: "It may surprise people to know that part of EPA’s job is to make sure disinfectants are as effective as they claim, and we take this job very seriously. Products that make claims that are not met put people at risk of getting sick. We are pleased that Lonza has agreed to not only pay penalties but to take steps that will go a long way toward rectifying the problem."
The two products cited for inefficacy in the most recent case were: Saniphor No. 450, registered as a tuberculocide, but found ineffective against a bacterium that causes tuberculosis; and 7 Healthcare Disinfectant Neutral Cleaner, which EPA tests determined did not kill the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as claimed on the label, the release noted.
According to the release, before any pesticide is sold in the U.S., it must go through EPA's vigorous registration process, during which companies must provide health studies and environmental information about the product to ensure that its proper use does not cause any negative human or environmental effects.
In addition to monetary fines, the EPA’s earlier settlement with Lonza Inc. required the company to develop a $390,000 supplemental environmental project to institute rigorous quality assurance and product efficacy testing at more than 470 formulators of Lonza products nationwide, the release added.
Click here to read the complete release.
The combined fines for all three cases exceeds $640,000, making it one of the largest civil penalties assessed under FIFRA, the release stated.
George Pavlou, acting EPA regional administrator, said: "It may surprise people to know that part of EPA’s job is to make sure disinfectants are as effective as they claim, and we take this job very seriously. Products that make claims that are not met put people at risk of getting sick. We are pleased that Lonza has agreed to not only pay penalties but to take steps that will go a long way toward rectifying the problem."
The two products cited for inefficacy in the most recent case were: Saniphor No. 450, registered as a tuberculocide, but found ineffective against a bacterium that causes tuberculosis; and 7 Healthcare Disinfectant Neutral Cleaner, which EPA tests determined did not kill the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as claimed on the label, the release noted.
According to the release, before any pesticide is sold in the U.S., it must go through EPA's vigorous registration process, during which companies must provide health studies and environmental information about the product to ensure that its proper use does not cause any negative human or environmental effects.
In addition to monetary fines, the EPA’s earlier settlement with Lonza Inc. required the company to develop a $390,000 supplemental environmental project to institute rigorous quality assurance and product efficacy testing at more than 470 formulators of Lonza products nationwide, the release added.
Click here to read the complete release.
Mold, leaky pipes and more mold
BEECH GROVE, IN — The Beech Grove City Hall is a health inspector's nightmare and an unfortunate reality for city employees, according to WTHR-TV.
Inspectors cited the building for a number of health violations after discovering puddles on tables, rotting ceiling tiles, warped walls and carpets and mold on every level from the vents to the water-logged basement, the story stated.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold has been shown to weaken the immune system, trigger asthma attacks, cause infections and migraines and over time can attack the brain and even cause death.
Although Mayor Donald Wright and his assistants, along with city council meetings and court hearings have all been moved to alternate locations, some city employees are still required to work in the hazardous, mold-infested building, the story noted.
According to the story, city council members say they were told the meetings were being moved because the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system wasn't working; there was no mention of a mold problem.
A Marion County Health Department inspection report lists violations due to mold as far back as March 2008, the story added.
City Council Member Ed Bell said: "It was clearly obvious that mold was the reason we were moving out. It's a slap in the face. We've asked the mayor to come before the council and answer questions but he refuses to do that. He wants to do it in private but we've had enough of the private. They're trying to put a Band-Aid on the situation when it's a serious problem."
Click here to read the complete article.
Inspectors cited the building for a number of health violations after discovering puddles on tables, rotting ceiling tiles, warped walls and carpets and mold on every level from the vents to the water-logged basement, the story stated.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold has been shown to weaken the immune system, trigger asthma attacks, cause infections and migraines and over time can attack the brain and even cause death.
Although Mayor Donald Wright and his assistants, along with city council meetings and court hearings have all been moved to alternate locations, some city employees are still required to work in the hazardous, mold-infested building, the story noted.
According to the story, city council members say they were told the meetings were being moved because the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system wasn't working; there was no mention of a mold problem.
A Marion County Health Department inspection report lists violations due to mold as far back as March 2008, the story added.
City Council Member Ed Bell said: "It was clearly obvious that mold was the reason we were moving out. It's a slap in the face. We've asked the mayor to come before the council and answer questions but he refuses to do that. He wants to do it in private but we've had enough of the private. They're trying to put a Band-Aid on the situation when it's a serious problem."
Click here to read the complete article.
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