By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, May 31 -- After a UN staff member was injured when an elevator fell to the first floor in the building the UN's rented at 380 Madison Avenue, Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky about the fall, and if the UN is going to litigate against the landlord it chose, to protest its workers there.
Nesirky said while “safety of staff is paramount,” he hadn't heard about the elevator fall.
But less than an hour later, a Town Hall meeting on the topic was held in the UN's North Lawn building. Afterward, one of the UN officials who made a presentation in the closed door meeting said that the UN's version was sent out in a broadcast e-mail (which could or should have been read by Nesirky's office), and that it is too early to talk about litigation, until the health of the staff member is known.
He said the incident took place on a Friday, but that UN Management wasn't told of it until the following Monday, when it complained to the City of New York. City officials took action on Tuesday, but staff members who spoke to Inner City Press on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation say they are not convinced, and that there's been more than one elevator fall. We'll see.
Footnote: Ban is also under fire for the firing of elevator operators inside the UN, and their replacement by non-union contractors. Meanwhile Ban, who just returned for the weekend from a trip including Nigeria and Deauville, leaves again on June 1 for Italy. Watch this site.
Update of 2:59 pm -- Twenty minutes after publication of the above Inner City Press received -- not from the Spokesperson's Office -- the broadcast email:
Elevators in 380 Madison Avenue
There have been two recent incidents involving the elevators in 380 Madison Avenue. On Monday 16 May 2011, elevator cab #5 descended rapidly to the ground floor and stopped between levels. After 30 minutes the doors were opened and all five passengers were escorted out. No injuries were reported at the time.
On Friday 20 May 2011 at around 5pm, an elevator carrying two passengers descended rapidly from the 6th floor to the lobby level and stopped abruptly. At the time, no reports of the incident were received by building management or the security officers on duty. Both passengers left the building. Subsequently, one elevator passenger sought medical assistance and has since been admitted to the hospital having sustained back and knee injuries.
The 20 May incident was reported to the Office of Central Support Service (OCSS) on 23 May, OCSS then reported it to the building management and filed a formal complaint with the New York City Department of Buildings, the same day. An inspector from the Department of Buildings arrived on Tuesday 24 May and checked all elevators over a period of four hours, together with the building management, the elevator contractor and a UN security officer. The NYC Department of Buildings website now reflects the outcome of the city inspection as showing the complaint to have been resolved. The 380 building management has informed us that elevator maintenance will continue throughout this week.
Staff in 380 Madison have asked about using the stairs instead of the elevators. This is against New York City fire code as stairs can only be used for emergency egress. Please be assured that all efforts are being made to ensure the safety of staff.
The Facilities and Commercial Services Division continues to monitor the matter with the management of 380 Madison Avenue. Staff are encouraged to report any incidents of elevator malfunction immediately to security or building staff on duty and to file a report to the FMS helpdesk at 3-7376.
Andrew Nye, Officer In Charge
Facilities and Commercial Services Division
Office of Central Support Services
