TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

N-plant workers seek benefits

ADVERTISEMENT

By STEVE ANDREWS

sandrews@wfla.com

Published: October 31, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - They feel that the U.S. Department of Labor has reneged on promises to provide them benefits, but as the national anthem played, these "Cold War Patriots" placed their hands over their hearts.

Twenty-one former workers from the old General Electric/Lockheed Martin plant in Largo gathered at Veterans War Memorial Park near Bay Pines to remember. They assembled nuclear weapons' triggers at the plant.

Friday, nuclear weapons workers assembled for what Congress proclaimed a National Day of Remembrance for all nuclear weapons workers.

These men and women worked in nuclear weapons plants. There are tens of thousands of them.

The government recognized the workers were put at risk without their knowledge, exposed to radiation, toxic chemicals and other cancer-causing agents. Congress passed a law to pay their medical expenses and provide a $150,000 benefit. But the Department of Labor insists workers prove their jobs caused their illnesses.

"I'm not going to stop," Debra Luez vowed. Her husband, John, worked at the Largo plant from 1982 to 1997. She believes toxic chemicals caused the cancer that killed him six years ago at age 52. She says the Department of Labor has rejected her claim for benefits, saying it wants information she cannot provide.

According to Department of Labor records, former Pinellas County plant workers filed 1,563 claims. The agency has made payments in 160 cases.

Vivian Scott has fought the department for years.

She's developed tumors in her breasts and lung problems that she blames on exposure at the plant.

"It's been a long, difficult struggle," said Scott.

Despite their struggles with the government, their personal losses and fading health, these Pinellas Cold War patriots stood with hands over their hearts when it was time to recite the Pledge of Allegiance

News Channel 8 reporter Steve Andrews can be reached at (813) 221-5779.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT