State workers have completed their first full work week since California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered them to return to the office four days a week starting July 1 — and in addition to parking complaints, workers now claim they’re being forced to work in disease-plagued state offices.
Workers’ union Service Employees International Union Local 1000 claimed recently that “unsafe, or potentially unsafe working conditions” have been reported at government buildings, specifically at the Department of Industrial Relations Building in Lodi.
The union said Legionella bacteria was detected in the building last month, contaminating a line that connects to an icemaker.
The bacteria is capable of causing a severe type of pneumonia if infected water is consumed and often grows in “human-made water building systems,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Department of Industrial Relations indicated it’s trying to resolve the issue, such as potentially through flushing plumbing fixtures and the water system. It will notify staff members of any needed precautions, a spokesperson told the Sacramento Bee.
“DIR has shared these findings with property management for the leased building and is coordinating with them as they implement the necessary corrective actions,” said the spokesperson.
Apparently, state government buildings have had a history with the germ.
The union said it’s monitoring other buildings with past incidents, such as the offices for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.
There are other issues, the union claims. There is a bedbug infestation at the California Department of Education discovered last month by employees. Department of General Services Assistant Deputy Director Fallon Okwuosa told the Bee it acted immediately.
“It is not true that there is an ‘infestation’ at the building, nor is it true that DGS has refused to treat the whole building,” said Okwuosa, who added they were considering a whole building treatment as a next step.
Other pests like cockroaches have also reportedly been spotted, the union claimed.
“If the State is going to force workers back into the office, it has a responsibility to make those workplaces safe,” SEIU said in a statement. “State workers deserve fair pay, affordable healthcare, telework that works and workplaces free from hazards.”
The union has been in contract negotiations with the state around fair pay and telework. The return-to-office mandate has been one aspect of the conversations that Newsom has refused to budge on.
“I’m glad people are getting back to work,” Newsom said at a press conference last Thursday. “It’s a healthy thing for their mental health.”
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