Here's why I find it so hard to read long messages. The following are just two of 2,107 e-mails I received from the nut job at work in just two years. She believed that the chemical agents used at the Opera House had permanently disabled her. She did have health problems. I once witnessed her have a full-scale allergic reaction to a propane torch as it was brought into the room she was in. Only problem was, it wasn't lit, and it contained no propane. It was just an empty prop.
I had to deal with her messages because I was foolish enough to be on the Union committee. GROAN! She sent these messages to the Committee, the Union, the membership, the papers, State and local government, politicians, lawyers, and god knows who. She sued the company, the union, and I don't know who else.
Eventually she got everything she wanted, and quit in a huff. lol. Some of the posts on the other board remind me too much of her.
In the first message, she resigns from the Committee. We all rejoyced!! In the second message she claimed she never resigned. GROAN! Please don't actually try to read these! ;0)
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To the Opera Negotiating Committee for the Union:
It is obvious that I am not on the same page as the committee, and find that my time on the committee could have been better spent to achieve a healthy and safe workplace.
Smoke and fog illness and violations of the retiring CBA were reported to the Union in November of 1998 ( Norma, Peter Grimes) by me personally and by others affected by the sickening stage effects.
The Union did nothing. The rep was busy with ballet business.
After waiting six months for my beloved employer to make corrections, I found myself in medical testing, pulmonary testing, allergy testing, trying to discover what was causing my illness and keeping me from the job I loved.
In June of 1999, I filed for workers comp benefits because the medical scope of my evaluations was extensive and expensive. I filed a written complaint to OSHA, complaining of harmful exposures and no training or hazard awareness of products or processes that were being used .
The Opera and stage management were not forthcoming with information about the processes and products being used, and when samples of the products were requested specifically for medical testing , the Opera supplied a bottle of Rosco Fog Fluid and a gallon bottle of illegally labled diffusion fluid ( hand-labled with a marker, DF-50, and sealed with file lable stickers) which six months later I discovered was not a product that the opera used , but rather the Opera claims that the distributor sent the wrong thing.I had been tested with an unknown subtance. Propane, both raw and combusted were to be tested, but the doctors said that was a ridiculous idea and the to do lung function testing with propane smoke or raw propane fumes was not permissable since the propane gas is an asphixiant and its harmful properties were obvious.
Testing with these products was extensive. Tests consisted of inhaling the mist of the products for 15 minute intervals while lung function testing was performed. This went on for four hours. I was ill for a week after the tests.
Testing included injections under my skin with these products. Testing included
patch testing with many chemicals, a five day process.
Testing included CT scans of my internal organs.
Methacholine Challenge Testing was performed to determine occupational asthma.
Pulmonary stress tests were performed to determined that my asthma was not exercise induced.
Testing was done to prove that my asthma was NON-Allergic, distinguishing it from pre-existing asthma.
______________________________
By now everyone knows that OSHA brought in the California Department of Health (HESIS) and on Christmas Eve of 1999.
Employees of the San Francisco Opera Association experienced adverse physical symptoms as a result of theatrical smoke and fog which were used during various performances. Physical symptoms, such as, but not necessarily limited to coughing, sore throat, chest tightness, and shortness of breath were experienced.
The HESIS report addresses the smoke effects as smoke from propane torches, DF-50 Oil Mist, and Rosco Fog (glycol), and dry ice and steam (soon to be identified as boiler steam).
When OSHA came into the Opera House, the Opera quit using oil mist and glycol during the investigation during the fall season of 1999 which included Nabucco (Nabucco began with DF-50 but it was cut before performances began), Idomeneo, and Wozzeck.
In the absense of oil mist and glycol, the Opera turned to an effect described to us as '"super fog" which was described by the Opera and Stage Management, as steam from Veteran's Building boilers and dry ice. For smoke effect, the Opera used the smoke from propane torches.
My point is that when the Opera was restricted from using oil mist and glycol for smoke and fog effect, they used boiler steam and propane torches, and did so without any restrictions.
There were many made ill during Nabucco, Idomeneo and Wozzeck. This was in the absence of oil mist and glycol.
According to the Union, the National Smoke and Fog Policy does not cover boiler steam and propane torches.
Under the proposed smoke and fog language, the Opera will have unrestricted use of propane smoke, or any smoke by combustion, and will be allowed to use boiler steam treated with SEVERE IRRITANTS, without restriction. Those who blindly accept the Smoke and Fog policy without defining smoke and fog will surely find themselves in future productions with effects like those in Nabucco, Idomeneo, and Wozzeck and with no recourse.
I ask everyone on this committee to search your memories for your own experiences in those referenced shows, and if you were not affected, have respect for your many colleagues that were. Those effects would be permitted under proposed undefined language.
_____________________________________________________________________
I propose the following in addition to the National Smoke and Fog Proposal: No Smoke by Combustion; No Boiler Steam
_____________________________________________________________________
While the negotiation meetings are focused on every other proposal, and the almighty dollar, smoke and fog are being hedged and put on the back burner while smoke and fog is our most powerful bargaining tool.
I will continue to fight for safety in our workplace through government agencies, the City of San Francisco and through OSHA This negotiation committee and the Opera, seems to find dancing and singing at the same time, more disabling to the process of singing than smoke and fog, though its consequences do not extend beyond the actual scene where dancing and singing a priority over the effects of chemical smokes and fogs while singing? I believe that this sends a message to management that the priority of our issues, does not include the most serious of our health and safety issues, and even extends to the future hireability of many Union members, whether they be extra chorus or regular.
_____________________________________________________________________
I value the work of this committee and hope that the following proposed language will be considered and implemented.
With these definitions and clarifications of smoke and fog language , I believe that the employees of the Opera will be protected from new exposures to the same effects as were used in Nabucco, Idomeneo, and Wozzeck.
There are members of this very committee who filed workers compensation claims during Nabucco when oil mist and glycol were not being used. For your information nine claims for smoke related injuries were filed during November and December of 1999, during which time, NO OIL MIST and NO GLYCOL fog was reported to have been used. That does mean that nine workers comp claims for smoke and fog exposure were filed while BOILER STEAM and DRY ICE (Super fog) and (SMOKE) from propane torches, used in combination and separately.
IS there any doubt that propane torches do not produce harmful smoke in the Opera House?
Is there any doubt that the COST of these claims and others was responsible for the Opera's yearly change of workers comp carriers?
Add the cost of producing the nasty effects, and the cost of medical testing, exponent testing to try to prove that the processes are safe when our medical history shows they are not:
Exponent: Training: on everything but the products being used: teaching that in spite of our medical problems, the products can be used safely. The Opera spends money on training but avoids discussion of the health and safety problems resulting from proir use of products taught to be safe.
Exponent: staged testing on oil mist that does not relate to levels or actual exposure during performances, was commissioned to prove that in spite of our medical problems, the use of these products is safe. The Opera expended money to prove the safty of the process and to justify its continued use, whether it made us sick or not.
Exponent: testing on War Memorial Boiler Steam, while the steam the Opera uses during productions comes from the Veterans Building boiler system and is treated with biocides and descalers which are known SEVERE IRRITANTS.
Testing was done without boiler inspections or permits. War Memorial was cited last year and recent inquiry showed that abatement has not yet been accomplished. The City Plumber comments on the Exponent testing that claims that the chemicals in the water are not being delivered in the steam...........He said and I quote, " Do they think you are stupid? If it is in the water, it is in the steam!" and "The City spends lots of money to make sure that the water from the boilers does not get into poteable sources of water." In spite of medical problems associated with the use of this process, the Opera uses money to prove the process safe, and of course so that they may justify continued use.
Exponent: testing of propane torches in Rosco Fog. ( Rosco's claims that their product decomposes into by-products that are unsafe to breathe at 700 degrees. Propane flames burn at over 3000 degrees, therefore Rosco recommends against any heat process that may thermally decompose their product. The smoke from torches burning the chemical fog is an example of thermal decomposition and produces carbon monoxide, ketones and other harmful by-products.
Exponent: Testing of Oil mist with propane torches. Same scenario as Rosco (Oil mist also thermally decomposes, only at a lower temperature and emits carbon monoxide).
Ventilation Specialist: Cost? unknown. $16,000 was reported to have been allotted. Results, adequate ventilation........... We all know that there is not.
Finally, the OSHA fines...........................................................
I believe that these expenses should be discussed.
_____________________________________________________________________
Loss to affected employees caused by the use of smoke and fog processes used for special effects at the Opera:
Loss of good health
Loss of valuable rehearsal time away from work
Loss of contracted work and performances prepared for presentation
Lost sick leave
Lost of pay
Termination of employment; forcing medical leave.
Loss of healthy relationships between co-workers not affected by the smoke effects , but adversely affected physically, vocally and emotionally, from the added responsibility of "covering' for those medically restricted from working in smoke and fog, carrying the load for those disabled along the way, while not being compensated for the added strain; it is understandable that this could, would, and has hurt, and even severed relationships that were once close.
The cost to those most affected by special effects at the Opera, is unmeasured in that the effects cause permanent disability to our respiratory systems and vocal cords, and rob us of a gift that is invaluable, priceless, our treasure, leaving us, without esteem for our self worth and for respect from our peers.
The result is occupational Asthma. Asthma has no cure. Treatment for symptoms is expensive. I have chemically induced asthma which has been determined to be occupational, caused by exposure to theatrical smoke and fog materials....including propane smoke and boiler.
Smoke and fog issues are more than health and safety issues, but moral issues as well.
Personally, my medical costs workers comp over $600 a month for my meds; that does not include doctors visits, testing, and vocal rehabilitation at $75 A a session, nor does it include regular vocal evaluations by a qualified vocal pathologist._________________
I feel estranged on the committee and would like to leave the fighting to others.
_____________________________________________________________________
I leave you with information that I believe is important and worthy of discussion.
Please feel to contact me if I may assist with documentation.
If this negotiation does not bring a safe and healthy workplace to those who have been adversely affected by the Union's continued arbitration dates, and settlement agreements: putting off smoke and fog until this time, while numerous members have suffered newly diagnosed cases due to exposures during the Union's "save it for negotiations tactic", I hope that the Chairman understands that there are many who can not wait for resolution of these issues and have suffered further injury while waiting for the Union to take action.
I wish all the best in these negotiations, and concerning the "almighty dollar'', just remember,"you can't take it with you." Resolutions to these health problems may insure longer life to enjoy your hard-earned money.
. If the language I have suggested is adopted, along with the New National Smoke and Fog Language, I will be satified. Anything less takes us back to Nabucco and maybe even Norma.
Please keep me in mind if I may be of any service in negotiations.
Sincerely,
PS How much was spent in buying out _____ and ________ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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Dear Mr. _______ and the Committee;
Resignation? What resignation? Thank you for your response. Your affirmation of the committee's goals and aspirations do confirm my feelings about the fact that I am not on the same page. However, my letter was not a letter of resignation, but rather a letter of proposal of contract language and definitions concerning the smoke and fog language. My comments on leaving you to do the fighting, leaving you with the facts to consider without emotional debate in front of management, offering my assistance, etc.; were intended to leave the fighting to the committee; and to enable the committee to present an undivided front while doing so? I am not giving up. I am not quitting. I am not resigning. I will continue to fight, but not with committee members in front of management.
I did the best I could to set forth the facts and jog the memories of the committee concerning propane and boiler steam; and the importance of definition, which is what other committee members have been doing in the past week concerning Ballet and Stage Management.
I do not choose to fight my colleagues in front of management over issues that divide us, and of course if I am not there I doubt seriously that there will be division.
. I do believe that money is the focus. I like money too.
. I believe that my proposed language is clear and precise. The Union National Smoke and Fog Policy plus NO Smoke by Combustion and NO Boiler Steam.
Because of the primitive ventilation in the Opera House Facility, smoke removal, and alarm systems are controlled by the City and not the Opera: smoke and fog effects, pyrotechnic effects; lack of adequate ventilation and smoke removal make a substantial difference in the health effects caused by these processes.
I am not going anywhere, I will be vigilant of all communications to the committee. You may hear from me, but more important, I expect that you will hear from others.
I would like to impress on Mr. _____ that each House is different and that the Opera has had a recent history (since renovation of the facility) 1998, of health problems from environmental effects that the Opera does not control and does not have the responsibility for evacuating.
One more problem arises in that the City controls the evacuation of and ventilation of bad air and chemical effects created by the Opera Association, and the City is not directly responsible for the Opera employee's safety or health. It is my understanding that OSHA does not deal with the City. The City does not deal with occupational health of non-city employees. When we report a problem to OSHA, they can not make the City correct ventilation, they can only make suggestions for improved ventilation. They do not regulate the City or its buildings. The City plumbers and builders, the City health dept, are responsible for the City employees and their facilities. We can complain to OSHA but OSHA can not fix it. We can complain to the city but we are not city employees and are not within the City's jurisdiction. We are virtually unprotected. That is why definition of the contract language could protect us from exposures to process that are not regulated by anyone else.
My point is that when the Opera uses effects that require ventilation, the Opera does not control ventilation. When boiler steam is used, the opera does not control the chemical treatment, the safety of the boilers themselves, our safety is unprotected when that process is used. We have a problem here at the Opera House that is unique to us.
The language no smoke by combustion is not my language, but rather was taken from DISNEY'S Health and Safety Guidelines for Special Effects.
I have not resigned, but wish to allow the process to proceed without division before management. That is the extent of my offer to bow out... I wish to remain on the committee, like a majority of the members who remain on the committee: to comment or not comment: appear or not appear: and remain in good standing. I have been actively involved on this committee for almost a year, and I can not resign a committee on which I represent others. Others are counting on my representation, and when it comes to a vote I want to be counted.
I feel confident that if this committee has read my letter, they know where I stand, know exactly what I support, and that there is no question as to what I believe will produce a safe work environment in the new CBA. Rather than communicating the same words over and over, and upsetting the financial focus of these negotiations, I wrote a letter. Please refer to my letter again, and please consider and remember.
I will encourage those that I represent to contact others on the negotiation committee with their concerns and opinions concerning the smoke language. Perhaps concerns reported to other committee members from others affected by smoke and fog processes, will jog the memory of the committee on the woes of propane and boiler steam; and at the same time put the smoke and fog language concerns into perspective. At the last committee meeting where I was present, Mr. _____ did comment that "everyone knows that smoke and fog issues are 'your issues' "addressing me.....I believe that is a misconception...I hope that misconception will change before these negotiations are over.
I believe there is confusion as to my personal wants and needs as opposed to the needs of others. I hope that other adversely affected members will contact members of the committee with their concerns, so that the responsibility of representation of resolution of smoke and fog issues will be more evenly felt and shared.
As for comments that I do not understand the whole picture, I am very interested in understanding , and in knowing what everyone else seems to know that I don't, about the whole picture. PLEASE enlighten me, teach me, show me. I do care and contrary to popular belief on this committee, I want to enjoy the same financial benefits as all of you, only I want to do so in good health.
PLEASE read my letter again and consider the facts.
The company may be in financial stress, but what I hear is that this committee is freaked out, and that is exactly what the company wants.
I have a vocal hearing this week and I must focus on that. Please include me on all committee mailings and keep me informed. Like I said in my letter, I appreciate the work of this committee and wish the best to all and want to assist in any way that I can. My gut feeling is that the best way I can do this is to allow this committee to present a united front. With my position clearly stated in writing and of record, I can do that.
If on the other hand, I am being forced to resign because I disagree with the consensus, I have a problem with that. I understand the importance of a united front and the best way I can support the committee is to leave the fighting to you. My opinions will not change. I felt that putting it in writing would be the best way to communicate it, to make a record of it, and asked for the committee's consideration of it. "It" being the AGMA Smoke and Fog National Policy; furtherly defined "no smoke by combustion" and "no boiler steam".
Iff the National Smoke and Fog Policy were interpretted as only applicable to oil mist and glycol, and not to other smoke producing devices, then I believe that the Union has shortchanged its suffering members by again using wording that will not be enforceable. Lets get it right, make it enforceable, and know exactly what it means in legal terms. The National Smoke and Fog Policy is cut and dry language. A boiler steam clause is Necessary in addition to the policy because of issues specific to our house and OUR shop. Propane smoke is a smoke effect produced by a source other than dry ice or H20 steam. That seems obvious. Mr. ______'s comments indicate that the Union makes exception for propane smoke which is the product of combusting a chemical, propane? Without further definition of the National Smoke and Fog policy, other effects that are smoke producing may be used by burning chemicals. . For whatever it is worth, further definition is required for our shop and Our CBA. We have suffered through five years of language that should have protected us but was impossible to enforce. The company was forbidden from using any process that causes injury to an artist.
We need language that prohibits the use before anyone else is injured and that can not be accomplished by threatening arbitration while harmful processes continue.
We have one member who testifies of coughing up black particles of soot after propane use in Nabucco, others were vomiting on stage in front of the General Director.
Who was the technical director in all the productions since summer of 1998? The current one first came to the Opera in 1998.
With such obvious adverse health effects going on, being reported on workers comp claim forms, the effects continued. Remember? That was a smoke effect produced by combusting propane.
Yours truly,
AI
