UN to Drill Asbestos in Reporters' Offices, Using Negative Pressure

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/un2repasbest010710.html

UNITED NATIONS, January 7 -- At the UN a "Notice of Asbestos Abatement" has gone up, announcing that drilling for asbestos pipe insulation will be conducted from January 8 through 10 on even numbers floors of the Secretariat tower facing the East River.

While the slated $2 billion Capital Master Plan renovation has begun, there are still people working in the building. On the 5th floor, for example, the UN's Medical Service remains in place, because its "swing space" on Second Avenue, above a liquor store, is not yet ready.

On the fourth floor some journalists remain. The outside Verizon telephone lines have not been moved to the cubicles above the library, the so-called whistleblower free zone where all phone conversation can be heard. Remaining facing the River are the New York Times, AP and Inner City Press.

On January 6 a team of UN officials and contractors came into Inner City Press' office, using their key, and said they would return from January 8 to 10. They will, according to an official, move desks and install a "little house" of sheet plastic. They will drill throw the wall to a metal pipe, from which they will remove asbestos. They say it will be safe, because the plastic house "will use negative pressure."

The goal is to build an elevator outside the building. It will be fastened with steel in through the windows (which will be replaced with plywood). Many say the UN should have waited until the Secretariat Building was actually empty, or should have planned better the availability of swing space, including with relocated Verizon lines.

This is, however, the UN. Although in New York, it claims exemption from local laws. It is immunte from lawsuits and health and safety regulation. Hence the drilling for asbestos in reporters' offices, right down the hall from what's now the UN's cafeteria. Inner City Press will remain reporting from these conditions as long as it can. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un2repasbest010710.html

At UN, Asbestos Abatement Shutters Gift Shop, Tourists in the Dark, CMP Bumbles On

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/cmpgift1asbestos121109.html

UNITED NATIONS, December 11 -- Already embroiled in asbestos abatement snafus, the UN's Capital Master Plan reconstruction has hit a new low, literally. In the basement under the General Assembly on December 10, plaster fell in front of the UN Gift Shop while tourists were using it. Inner City Press was informed, but after UN spokespeople had left for the day. An article written that night contained what news there was.

On December 11, the gift shop as well as the book and coffee shops were all closed. Behind yellow "caution" tape, sheet plastic flapped. Tourists milled around, some asking Inner City Press why the book shop was not open.

While the CMP had canceled the day's noon briefing, Inner City Press went to the Spokesperson's Office, in the process of being dismantled, and asked for the UN's position on why the gift shop had been closed.

The UN provided Inner City Press with two statements, below.

First,

"On the GA-1B level a small amount of plaster fell down from the ceiling in front of the gift shop. As a precaution measure, since it was not immediately clear whether the plaster had been replaced before, or if it was still the original plaster which could contain asbestos, the area was evacuated and the fans in the area shut down. Our environmental consultant took samples of the material, and it turned out that the plaster that had fallen down does not contain asbestos. As a precaution the plaster around the spot where the material came down will be abated as soon as possible. After that the area will be reopened."

Then

"The asbestos abatement work was done faster than expected. All the necessary air samples were taken and analyzed, and the GA-1B Visitors' Concourse is ready for reoccupancy as of now. DPI and FCSC/CAS have been informed. They will decide when to reopen facilities, since the set-up for the work is still there. It will be removed starting at 1 p.m., but in any case the area is safe for reoccupancy."

The question is, with so many snafus by the UN, will the City of New York, which has already stopped public school children from entering the building, continue to allow public tours of the General Assembly? Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/cmpgift1asbestos121109.html

As UN Master Plan and Planner Hit for Waste, Skanska Settles Asbestos Suit

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/cmp3banks111009.html

UNITED NATIONS, November 10 -- As the UN Capital Master Plan, headed by Michael Adlerstein, was criticized Tuesday in the UN Budget Committee, Adlerstein's general contractor Skanska was settling an asbestos lawsuit in California, one that Adlerstein had claimed didn't exist.

In the Budget Committee, cost overruns and planned snafus like the on again, off again relocation of the Security Council outside of the Heaadquarters building were fodder for coutnries and regional groups.

The eighth floor, a person working there says, is now full of mice. The UN Journal is slated to move into a four desk room above the Innovation Luggage store on Second Avenue. The move of the UN press corp to the second floor over the library was on Tuesday delayed for another three weeks, to December 11. Meanwhile on the 4th floor, the former JPMorgan Chase bank branch is being stripped down to the walls.

From the ACABQ report on the Capital Master Plan:

"The Committee regrets that security concerns and space requirements were not duly considered at an earlier stage, and that the decision to maintain the Security Council within the main complex of Buildings had not been part of the initial planning. The timing of that decision demonstrates a lack of sound planning and coordination, which has resulted in delays and additional costs being incurred. The Committee emphasizes the need for intensified coordination and consultation between the Office of the Capital Master Plan and all other key stakeholders in order to ensure effective planning of the project and to avoid, to the extent possible, unforeseen delays and resulting cost escalation."

The Committee remains concerned by the risks posed to the project and urges the Secretary-General to continue to closely monitor the situation and to ensure that the activities related to the migration and running of the secondary data centre are completed in accordance with the time frame of the capital master plan."

The member states began to beat the drum on Tuesday, promising to follow it up into closed door consultations. We'll continue to follow this.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/cmp3banks111009.html

At UN, Belated Asbestos Warning by Fallen Ceiling, Photograph's Deletion Demanded

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/un3asbestos073009.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 30 -- For days on the UN's third floor a patch of fallen ceiling has been roped off with yellow police tape. Still, on July 29 Inner City Press witnessed families with strollers walking feet away from the police tape, touring the UN. On July 30, seeing a workman with what appeared to be a gas mask on probing at the ceiling with standing on a ladder, Inner City Press took a photograph.

An official of the UN Capital Master Plan rushed over to Inner City Press and asked why the photograph was taken. The safety measures used by the UN workman, under a ceiling hole by while unprotected visitors and children passed only a day earlier, seemed of potential news value. The official went back over to the roped off area and returned with the workman. "You have to delete the picture," the workman said. "You took it without my permission." He grabbed for the camera.

Inner City Press pulled back and explained that since the UN is a public institution, the work done with public money, in an area with even outside visitors were permitted less then 24 hours earlier, the photograph would not be deleted. The workman retorted that he is not a UN employee but rather a contractor. (Click here for Inner City Press' previous exclusive story about the UN's asbestos contractor, ATC Associates which has been hit for Clean Air Act violations).

The Capital Master Plan official escorted Inner City Press down to the office of the CMP in the basement of the UN's library, to speak with CMP director Michael Adlerstein.

Tour of UN with roped off area and kids, July 29, 2009
In front of his ample office with its views of the East River, a receptionist asked, Is this about up there, the third floor? It's related, the official said.

Another receptionist said Mr. Adlerstein is in a meeting, Mr. Adlerstein can't be bothered. Inner City Press left a business card, if any legal reason for deleting such a photo existed.

UN workman, with protection, under same ceiling, July 30, 2009

Later on Thursday, to the yellow police tape around the work area, now with what appeared to be air testing machines buzzing, was added an additional red emergency tape with the word "ASBESTOS."

The context here is that the City of New York has already barred school children from being taken on tours of the UN"s Conference Building, including the third floor area at issue. It is not clear why children, including in strollers, still passed by the fallen ceiling on July 29. The CMP's many assurances that all asbestos work is being done in a safe manner appear to be called into question by the amateur and ad hoc fashion that the fallen ceiling on the third floor has been handled.

Adlerstein is slated to give a "Town Hall meeting" for UN Staff on July 31. After his spokesman excluded Inner City Press from a prior such meeting, Adlerstein told Inner City Press is can attempt future Town Hall meetings. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un3asbestos073009.html

At UN, Food Workers Abruptly Told of Layoffs, Swine Flu and Drugs Gag Order

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un1foodswine050409.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 4 -- With the diplomacy for which the United Nations is known, its food service workers in New York were abruptly told Monday that layoffs begin on August 2. The UN headquarters is scheduled to be emptied and repaired, by a contractor Skanska being sued for asbestos, and its cafeteria is to be cut in two, consolidated with the more upscale Delegates' Dining Room.

One worker, staring at the day's offerings of chicken legs and corn, complained to Inner City Press that while "Obama is trying to save jobs, Ban Ki-moon is eliminating them."

The notice was by the UN's contractor Aramark. Its cleaning contractor has not given similar notices, as there will still be a need to clear the UN's so-called swing spaces on Madison Avenue and 47th Street and Second Avenue and 42nd and 46th Streets.

As Inner City Press has reported, the move is called into question by the Department of Safety and Security's failure to produce risk assessments for the swing space locations. Capital Master Plan chief Michael Adlerstein is now said to be blaming the head of the UN's New York security for not preparing the plans.


Adlerstein will hold a meeting with staff on May 7, but the contractors being unceremoniously told of lay-offs are not expected to be invited.

Footnotes: The UN's pandemic expert David Nabarro, in an uncharacteristically testy press conference on Monday, refused to state whether any UN staff have tested positive to swine or H1N1 flu. Inner City Press asked him to comment on irregularities in "pharmaceutical controls," including with regard to Tamiflu as well as Daizepam, in the UN Medical Service, but he declined.

The stated purpose of his briefing was so Ban Ki-moon won't be answered flu-related questions at his May 5 press conference. But now that seemed inevitable.

The role of the pork industry in the UN World Health Organization's decision to change the name of Swine Flu is not yet fully known. Apparently poultry groups didn't have as much clout, as it is still called Bird Flu. On a recent WHO press conference call, Inner City Press repeatedly pushed 0-1 to get in line to ask a question, but wasn't called on. Next time, then. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1foodswine050409.html

UN's Skanka and Asbestos Consultant ATC Non-Compliant with Clear Air Act

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at the UN: News Analysis
www.innercitypress.com/un1asbestos041609.html

UNITED NATIONS, April 16 -- As questions mount about the UN's procurement practices and the place of safety in its rehabilitation plans, it has emerged that the UN's asbestos consultant, ATC Environmental Inc., has been slapped with orders by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for non-compliance with Clear Air Act standards "regarding the proper handling and disposal of asbestos materials in demolition and renovation operations."

The UN's general contractor Skanska also has had problems with asbestos, and is being sued for mishandling it in California, in a case just now changing venue. While some argue that criminal charges were dropped, that appears to only have been after a no-contest plea and the payment of a fine, and for testimony. Most relevantly, Skanska engaged in the contested conduct in order to cut corners and meet deadlines. How much more tempting, with in an immunity protected job for the UN?

On April 7, Inner City Press asked the UN Spokesperson's office to provide the name of the UN's asbestos consultant. Nothing was provided until, in connection with questions about another crime-plagued UN contractor, Petrocelli Electric, Inner City Press reiterated the question. ATC Environmental, the answer came back.

The question is, how could the UN select a company being charged with asbestos and Clean Air Act non-compliance as its asbestos contractor? Thursday, the UN Staff Union's two highest officials, speaking to the Press about the dangers posed by the UN's Capital Master Plan, noted that neither the UN nor its contractors can be sued, leading to even less accountability.

The UN Staff Union, as Inner City Press reported yesterday morning and aske about at noon, has passed a resolution calling for a postponement of the relocation of UN staff to building which have not been risk-assessed. The Staff Union on Thursday said that only the building on 45th Street which houses the head of UN Security, David Veness, has been risk-assessed. They called for action against Veness and the head of New York UN Security, Bruno Henn.

But they spoke also about the head of the Capital Master Plan Michael Adlerstein, noting that he gives assurances everything is fine when it is not. Inner City Press has obtained a copy of Adlerstein's written response to the last Staff Union resolution, and puts it online here. As the CMP gets delayed and becomes surrounded by more questions, the pat assurances given to the Department of Management's Angela Kane and Catherine Pollard will be useful to return to. And we will stay on this topic.

From the UN's April 7 transcript:

Inner City Press: I just wanted to know if the Capital Master Plan or the UN has an asbestos consultant and who it is?

Spokesperson: I have no idea. I can ask for you, of course, who the asbestos consultant is. The major reason for redoing this building is the, essentially the asbestos that we have in the walls, so…

Inner City Press: No. I know. I think it’s very responsible to remove the asbestos. I just want to know who the consultant is.

Spokesperson: I don’t have that information, but I can ask the Capital Master Plan for you.

The response came six days later: ATC... Then from the April 15 transcript:

Inner City Press: the Staff Union has put out a report that the Security Service here has failed to do the security-risk analysis required, they say, by the General Assembly, of this building and of all the buildings to which people will be moved under the Capital Master Plan. So they’re calling for a suspension of any transfer of staff to those buildings until the required, they say, security-risk analysis has been done. Is the UN aware of their call? Does it acknowledge that these assessments were required and weren’t done, and what’s their response?

Associate Spokesperson: I’m not aware of the Staff Union motion. However, I’d like to point out that we’ve been evaluating security as part of the Capital Master Plan project, and that also includes security in the swing space, and we’ll continue to evaluate that.

Inner City Press: They claim that there is some formal document that has been done in Geneva, Vienna, and every other place, but has not been done here, and they specifically say that the head of the local security here, Bruno Henn, is responsible for not doing it.

Associate Spokesperson: I am not aware of those details. The basic point is, however, that we do continue to look into security in all the UN premises, including the swing space premises.

We'll see.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1asbestos041609.html

UN's Lack of Risk Assessment May Delay Capital Master Plan, Force Exit of Officials

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/uncmp1riskdss041509.html

UNITED NATIONS, April 15, updated -- The UN's multi-billion dollar relocation and rehabilitation Capital Master Plan may be delayed by the failure of the UN's Department of Safety and Security (DSS) to conduct risk analysis of the relocation spaces.

In the third of a series of resolutions complaining about DSS, the Staff Council has unanimously "not[ed] the multiple failures of the Chief of the Security and Safety Services at Headquarters to follow mandated procedures" and has now "request[ed] the Secretary General to suspend all scheduled staff transfers to the new office spaces until such time as the mandated Security Risk Analyses have been properly executed." [Since on-camera UN Associate Spokesperson Farhan Haq said this Resolution 43/5 is not known, Inner City Press puts it online here.]

In recent months, DSS has increasingly been surrounded by scandals, from promotion and placement irregularities exposed in memo leaked to Inner City Press to the death of staff member Jesmel Navoa due to DSS failure or delay in calling New York City's 911 emergency services providers, and to allow them access to UN Headquarters, click here for that story.

The chief of DSS, David Veness, ostensibly resigned in the wake of the deadly December 2007 bombing of the UN in Algeria. He is still however in his office on 45th Street across First Avenue from UN Headquarters -- the only UN building in New York for which a Security Risk Analysis had been conducted. Inner City Press is told by sources that Veness will finally be leaving at the end of April, and that the internal short list process has focused on an American from the U.S. State Department's diplomatic security service.

The man responsible for security of the UN in New York is Bruno Henn. Many DSS officers say Henn is rarely present, and for some time used his official car to drive back and forth to him home in the suburbs. Questions about his educational background and previous employment have gone unanswered by the UN. Now he is being targeted by name by the Staff Union, and blamed for the potentially expensive delay in implementing the Capital Master Plan.

The argument is that a Security Risk Management System complete with SRAs was mandated by the UN Chief Executives Board in October 2004, then by the General Assembly in January 2005. It was implemented at other UN headquarters, in Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi and regional hubs in Thailand, Lebanon, Ethiopia and elsewhere. Only in New York was it not carried out -- and Bruno Henn is blamed.

The counter-argument, as best as Inner City Press can make it out, is that the UN in New York relies on the City's government and its Police Department. But Article 100 of the UN Charter states that "In the performance of their duties the Secretary-General and the staff shall not seek or receive instructions from any government or from any other authority external to the Organization." [Click here for the Charter sections 99 and 100; the former Inner City Press has been citing of late in light of Ban Ki-moon's failure to raise the "bloodbath" in Sri Lanka formally to the Security Council.] More practically, NYC officials have been less than enthusiastic about the UN's security and construction plans.

It is anticipated that the Staff Union, pursuant to its recent resolution, will further brief the Press on April 16. Even before that, Inner City Press will be seek responses from the UN Secretariat, including on specific risks in the current and prospective UN buildings. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/uncmp1riskdss041509.html