Los Alamos Sick Nuclear Weapons Workers to Hold Rally June 25th 2008 Calling for EEOICPA Reforms

For Immediate Release:

June 17th, 2008

Contact: Joyce Walker, Bethlehem Steel Action Group (716) 627-5214
Terrie Barrie, Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocacy Groups (970) 824-2260
Dr. Maureen Merritt, New Mexico Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocates (505) 455-0550
Jerry Leyba, Los Alamos Project On Worker Safety (505) 660-0632


Sick Workers from the Los Alamos National Laboratories, along with members of local communities living near LANL, will rally on June 25th, 2008 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM to protest the federal agencies’ implementation of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICPA), for unfair practices and illegal actions regarding compensation for sick worker-claimants and their survivors. These Cold War patriots became ill when they were unknowingly exposed to radioactive and hazardous materials while working at the various DOE nuclear facilities sites across the country.

Los Alamos Workers and their supporters will join Bethlehem Steel Action Group (BSAG) and their local AFL/CIO’s call for a nation-wide rally. “We will not quit, we will not go away, and we will not rest until justice has been served for the workers and families of all who have suffered” says Joyce Walker, widow of the late Ed Walker, founder of BSAG.

“We are asking that our Representatives and Senators, claimants, families and friends unite to demand reform of the EEOICP Act. In the last 7 years it has become clear that thousands of valid claims for compensation have been flat out denied or delayed endlessly by intentional acts of the federal bureaucrats tasked with administering the program fairly and equitably. This must change.” stated Dr. Maureen Merritt, physician advocate.

The local rally will be held outside Energy Employee Compensation Resource Center offices, 412 Paseo de Onate, Suite D, Espanola, New Mexico. Other national rallies will be held on public streets near DOL facilities in Cleveland, Ohio, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Denver, Colorado.