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Union raises health concerns about 1 Friendship Street building used by DCYF; requests due diligence
Summary
SEIU Local 580 representatives told the subcommittee they surveyed staff at the DCYF office in the 1 Friendship Street building and said many employees wanted to leave the building over health concerns; the union urged additional due diligence ahead of lease or space decisions.
Matt Guttup, president of SEIU Local 580, told the committee that union members at several state agencies housed in 1 Friendship Street have longstanding health and building‑quality concerns.
Guttup said the union surveyed affected members and that of the roughly 40 respondents "85.7% stated that they like to exit the building." He told the committee that the union had previously raised health and safety questions, that members found it difficult to connect health issues to the building without medical documentation, and that they believe the state should perform thorough due diligence before approving or renewing long leases or making space decisions.
Why it matters: The union represents frontline employees who work with vulnerable populations; the building’s condition and workspace quality affect employee health, continuity of services and program operations. Lawmakers asked how agency leasing and space decisions will account for building‑condition concerns going forward.
What the union asked: Guttup asked the legislature and DOA to revisit prior building‑quality reports, perform updated inspections where needed, and consider alternatives for leased locations. He said the union wants transparent follow‑up and for agency leaders to communicate remedies and relocation plans promptly if a building is unsuitable.
Ending: Committee staff and DOA representatives acknowledged the testimony and said they would follow up on leasing and building‑condition questions with the agencies and provide additional information to the subcommittee and to the union.
