Safety at Kyrene Plant
Labor-Management Committee to Monitor Safety
at Kyrene Water Treatment Plant
Tempe – In September, five Tempe city employees at the Kyrene Water Recycling Plant became ill as a result of high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, or sewer gas, at the treatment facility.
The facility had experienced serious gas spikes in the past but the city has been slow to implement a series of recommendations made by city employees and consultants over the past year.
After the September incident, the city’s own investigation showed that while some steps had been taken to address the plant’s problems, many had not, including the installation of a permanent air monitor and a thorough evaluation of work hazards on site.
Tempe Chapter Union Representatives interviewed employees soon after the incident and went to work looking for ways to assure workplace safety. In early November, an SEIU committee met with city officials to propose a plan of action based on the results of both the city’s and the union’s investigations.
The city accepted our proposals which include establishing a special Labor-Management Committee to monitor progress on the city’s remedial efforts and ensure that the employees’ concerns are fully addressed.
In addition, we have called for the quick installation of a permanent monitoring system and the development of a timeline for needed re-engineering.
Both SEIU and city management agree: All Tempe city employees deserve a safe working environment. We are committed to working together to make sure they have exactly that.