SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – Union leaders say a third-party construction crew drilled into floor tiles at South Bend’s main postal facility over the weekend, possibly releasing asbestos and raising concerns among postal workers over their health.
A new federal complaint has been filed over the issue.
“I was given word that we had drilling done in the workroom floor at the Postal Service, and that we do know that there is asbestos in that tile,” said Donald Stump, president of the local branch of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union.
Stump said there had been no testing or air monitoring that he knew of.
Officials say the drilling happened over the weekend without prompt containment or air monitoring afterward. Stump estimated that at least 20 to 30 workers per shift were in the area.
“And there have been some that have not come into work because they have been scared and had to use their own leave,” Stump said.
An email obtained by 16 News Now shows Stump requested that the USPS location shut down operations and pay all employees administrative leave because of the possible danger. An official responded, “We will not be stopping operations.”
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