ALLIANCE OF NUCLEAR WORKER ADVOCACY GROUPS

Coalition for a Healthy Environment, Knoxville, TN, Harry Williams
865-693-7249
United Nuclear Weapons Workers, St. Louis, MO, Denise Brock 636-366-4428
Grassroots Organization of Sick Workers, Craig, CO, Terrie Barrie 970-824-2260
Tri-Valley CAREs (Communities Against a Radioactive Environment), Inga
Olson 925-443-7148


VIA FAX
February 1, 2005

The Honorable Elaine Chao
U.S. Department of Labor
Frances Perkins Building
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20210

Dear Secretary Chao:

We are extremely disappointed in your department's response to our request
for a teleconference to discuss implementation issues regarding Subtitle E
of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. 

Your direction to Mr. Shelby Hallmark to meet with us was, in turn, relayed
to Mr. Pete Turcic (Director of EEOICPA).  His verbal response was that it
would be inappropriate to meet with us during the rule making process.
What legal authorities forbid agencies from discussing the content, shape
and approach to new programs under their jurisdiction?

Mr. Turcic did advise us that we will have the opportunity to voice our
concerns during the town hall meetings.  However, the meeting last week for
the Oak Ridge claimants was far from satisfactory.  Only a few of the
concerns we listed in our letter of 1/14/05 were addressed. And our request
for substantive discussion cannot be satisfied at outreach meetings.

Our request for a teleconference with you is imperative.  As advocates who
led the fight to transfer the program from DOE to DOL, it is puzzling and
peculiar that the door is now being closed in our faces.  We can offer so
much to your agency in getting Subtitle E running smoothly.  This letter
requests that you reconsider our request for a substantive exchange on the
policy issues affecting key program areas.

Sincerely,



Terrie Barrie,
for ANWAG members

C:  Congressional delegations