subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Nov 10 2009 

Published: November 14, 2008 12:17 am    print this story  

COMPENSATION: Schumer calls for action on nuclear program

By Mark Scheer
E-mail Mark

U.S Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, has asked the U.S. Department of Labor to speed up the processing of compensation claims filed by Western New Yorkers who took part in the development of the nation’s nuclear weapons program during the Cold War

Following Thursday's release of a report that was critical of the Labor Department's handling of existing claims, Schumer called on officials to remedy processing problems so that former employees of Bethlehem Steel, Linde Ceramics and other local factories can receive a decision on their cases in a timely fashion.

“The one thing our Cold War heroes who were exposed to nuclear radiation don’t have is time," Schumer said. "The Department of Labor must put their applications for much-deserved health compensation on the fast track immediately,”

Congress passed the Energy Employee Occupational Illness Compensation Act in 2000 to compensate individuals who were sickened as a result of their service in radiation facilities directly managed or financed by the federal government. The Act allowed individuals that handled uranium and other materials at nuclear facilities in the 1940s and 1950s to apply for individual payments of $150,000 and other benefits for medical treatment. Workers who can document their employment history and who have contracted radioactive cancer, beryllium disease or chronic silicosis after working at sites where nuclear weapons work was performed are able to apply for compensation. The workers have long contended that the federal government is purposely delaying the processing of compensation claims to avoid having to pay benefits. While Western New York has one of the highest concentrations of facilities involved in the development of the nation’s nuclear weapons program, Schumer says it continues to lag behind in terms of the number of claims processed.

In the report released on Thursday, the Inspector General found no evidence that claims are being inappropriately denied, but did suggest the department has been too slow in its handling of claims. As part of the report, the Inspector General made six recommendations for improving the claims process.

In response, Schumer sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, calling for the department to implement all the recommendations.

print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Featured Jobs

Assistant Director
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Alumni Relations (ft) sought by the Alumni Relations Department of Niagara University, a private
...>MORE

Echo Tech
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY TECHNICIAN, Full-time. Certification by ARDMS or registry eligible. Up to $7500 Sign On Bonus!; MEDICAL...>MORE

Insulation Installer
Insulation Installers. Exp. preferred but will train the right candidates. Start $8-$10/hr. Earn $15. in less than 30 da...>MORE

Certified Pharmacy Tech's & Certified Medication Tech's
Certified Pharmacy Tech’s & Certified
Medication Tech’s Competitive wages. Call Lisa McKensie Ransomville Manor 79
...>MORE

Job Fair
HUMAN SERVICES
JOB FAIR
For COMMUNITY MISSIONS

Program Locations/Job Opportunities
working w/c
...>MORE

Packers
Packers, General
Production & Assembly
1st, 2nd and 3rd shifts
Sanborn, Tonawanda
& Amherst.
Re
...>MORE

Nursing
NURSING. ElderWood Senior Care, "Care Without Compromise". We invite you to stop by and learn how you can become part of...>MORE

Activities Director
Activities Director FT AS Degree and /or or 3-5 yrs exp working in adult home. Send Resume To: Ransomville Manor at 35...>MORE

Service greeter
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE

Nursing
NURSING. RN's. Up to $7500 Sign on Bonus. Thinking of a change? Consider Mount St. Mary's Hospital. Various positions av...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

1996 Mazda L3000
MAZDA L3000 pick-up 1996, 6 cyl, runs good, new tires & battery, just inspect., $1500. 284-7529....>MORE

1998 Ford F150
FORD 1998 F-150 XLT, 2-WD, supercab, 152k, good cond. $2900 or BO. 297-9184 or 698-5418....>MORE

Ford 1999 Ranger
FORD 1999 Ranger, 5 speed, 130K, fair condition, $2000 or best offer, 716-310-0531...>MORE

Buick 2005 LeSabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE

VW 2001 Beetle
VW 2001 Beetle, loaded, GLX turbo, exc. cond, all service records, fun to drive, blue bk $5600, take best offer, 990-06...>MORE

1991 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1991 Caravan, exc body, runs great, full power, needs TLC. $1200 or BO. Call 754-4608....>MORE

Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE

Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT
25,800 mi, ext. warranty
Exc. Cond, $16,500
297-2199
...>MORE

Ford Windstar 1998
FORD 1998 Windstar $1000 or best offer.
298-5220
...>MORE

1995 Plymouth Neon
Plymouth ‘95 Neon, 4 cyl, auto, 4 dr, exc in & out, 1 owner, only 56k orig. mi, no rust. $2195. 523-7102 ...>MORE

See all ads





 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index