Albany lawmakers are pushing a invoice that may provide members of the family of late sanitation staff who cleaned up Floor Zero among the similar advantages supplied to family members of first responders who died from 9/11-related sicknesses.
The Ignazio Giacalone Act would give youngsters and siblings of sanitation staff who died from 9/11-related sicknesses extra credit on their civil service examination, bringing them in keeping with firefighters and cops.
The invoice is known as after Ignazio Giacalone, who died in 2021 after a battle with most cancers, associated to his work at floor zero.
“They gave the city everything. And finally, at least they’re getting some type of support. It’s nice,” Giacalone’s son, Michael, instructed The Put up.
Over 100 sanitation division staff have died of most cancers tied to their work cleansing up the commerce middle’s website.
The youthful Giacalone is hoping to comply with in his father’s footsteps. He at the moment has an inventory quantity and is ready to attend orientation and endure a bodily to affix DSNY in just a few months, however had he gotten extra credit score just like the invoice would supply, he could have been capable of be a part of earlier.
“I’m grateful for the [Sanitiation] department. They’ve helped out tremendously,” Giacolone stated.
“My dad said, at the end of the day, that the job gave him his life. It gave him a pension and it gave him everything that he had built up. I’m very thankful for the job, and I’m thankful for the city,” Giacolone continued.
Giacalone stated the hassle to get the invoice taken up by state lawmakers has largely been led by former DSNY supervisor Edward Panzarella.
“This bill honors the legacy of sanitation workers like Ignazio who put their lives on the line for New York. But more, this bill’s passage is a statement from New York State that we see you, we thank you, and we will never forget your heroism and your sacrifice,” Assemblyman Sam Berger (D-Queens), the invoice’s sponsor, stated.
The Meeting unanimously handed the invoice earlier this month, and it now simply must cross within the state Senate earlier than heading to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk. The laws is carried within the higher chamber by state Sen. Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan).
The laws has additionally gotten assist from metropolis lawmakers.
“New York’s Strongest lost over 130 people due to 9/11 related illnesses, yet we seldom hear about their contributions. It’s time that we honor them the same way we honor the First Responders who were there getting the city back on its feet in the aftermath,” Councilwoman Vickie Paladino stated.
