Public Employee Press

Benefits to continue for Montello family

In their time of need, the family of Local 1320 member Gennaro Montello, who was killed Jan. 9 in an accident at his job, will not have to worry about paying for health insurance. Under a bill passed by the City Council Jan. 23 and signed into law by the mayor on Feb. 10, the city will continue the benefits for his widow, Donna, and children, Gennaro Jr. and Briana.

“It is reassuring to know that if a civilian employee sacrifices their life on the job, we can achieve the same protection for the family that is automatically afforded to the uniformed forces,” said James Tucciarelli, president of Sewage Treatment Workers and Senior STWs Local 1320. Beginning immediately after Montello’s death, the local urged the Dept. of Environmental Protection to press for the benefit legislation.

Tucciarelli, who testified on the bill before the City Council, thanked DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts and Susan Chin of the union’s Political Action Dept. for their “dedicated work on behalf of the Montello family.”

Accident investigations
Montello was fatally injured at the Owl’s Head Wastewater Treatment Plant when a huge conveyor belt that he and co-workers were moving suddenly collapsed and crushed him. The officers of Local 1320 are working with the DC 37 Safety and Health Dept. to monitor the accident investigation by the state’s Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau. The union is also cooperating with an investigation by the city Dept. of Investigation; four members, represented by a unionattorney, testified in early February.