AFSCME: Get out of Northwood now
Union leader says workers should be allowed to tele-work until new office space is located
By James Call, Democrat Capitol Reporter, March 25, 2016
The union representing state workers is calling for an immediate and full review of buildings and complexes housing state offices. Andy Madtes, AFSCME Florida executive director endorsed Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to vacate the Northwood Centre in Tallahassee.
Several state employees have filed lawsuits alleging mold, sewage and animal waste at the Monroe Street complex have made them sick. The state budget that goes into effect July 1 forbids state agencies from renting, leasing or possessing space at the Northwood Centre
“Nobody should have to work in such conditions,” said Madtes. “We believe that every office that state employees work out of should be reviewed and steps should be taken to ensure that a situation like this is not allowed to happen again.”
The Department of Management Services is responsible for 1,115 leases for about 11.8 million square feet of office space, according to a DMS report. The Florida House and Senate agreed to the Northwood Centre prohibition at Scott’s request. His office deflected questions about whether the state is planning to review other buildings housing state agencies for the maintenance and health issues found at Northwood.
The decision to vacate the former shopping mall affects about 1,500 workers. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Agency for State Technology, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Education, the Department of Revenue, the Department of State and the Department of Economic Opportunity all have offices at facility near Monroe Street.
While a scramble is on to find new office space by July, Madtes said the state is forcing employees to work in an unsafe environment.
“Workers at the Northwood Centre should be allowed to tele-work or work from other state offices until they have new permanent office so nobody has to continue risking their health going into that building,” said Madtes.
