The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) last week affirmed unsafe working conditions detailed in a whistleblower complaint filed by three AFGE members against USDA’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Maryland.
AFGE Local 3147 had been trying for years to get management to address the unsafe working conditions at the moldy, flooded building complex that housed 800 employees. It wasn’t until AFGE’s General Counsel Office got involved and worked with the local to file a whistleblower complaint with the OSC that the agency finally did a proper investigation and largely substantiated the allegations.
“The agency investigation largely substantiated the whistleblowers’ allegations, finding pervasive safety deficiencies in many of the facilities and structures at BARC, including a general lack of housekeeping; excessive dirt and grime; flaking and peeling paint; damaged flooring; active and post flooding and other water intrusions; mold; and a lack of potable water,” said the OSC in a June 25 letter to President Trump.
“The agency concluded that many of the problems at BARC have accumulated over decades due to inadequate funding from Congress to repair, maintain, and modernize BARC, as well as ARS laboratories and research centers nationwide.”
The agency also determined that the poor condition of the facilities damaged scientific equipment, derailed and delayed research studies, and increased costs to research operations at the facility, although it says there was no...
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