Philadelphia Local 22 Hep-C Activist Receives Disability Pension

April 20, 2007 – Philadelphia, PA Local 22 member Mary Kohler, who contracted Hepatitis-C and subsequently lobbied for a Pennsylvania state law giving Hepatitis-C infected fire fighters and paramedics the right to apply for worker’s compensation, has been awarded a service-connected disability pension.

Recognizing her long bout with Hepatitis-C, The Philadelphia Board of Pensions voted 5-3 to give Kohler 70 percent of her former pay – tax free – as well as lifetime coverage for her Hepatitis-C medical costs.

“I don’t think anyone had any idea of the lion that roared within Mary Kohler,” says Brian McBride, president of Local 22. “Her strong conviction inspired countless fire fighters to get tested and to get early intervention. This is a well-earned victory.”

Kohler first became an activist for Pennsylvania first responders in 2000 when she planted herself in front of Mayor John Street’s office for two weeks in protest of the City’s failure to recognize the disease and its effects as a job-related injury. Dave Kearney, recording secretary for Local 22, says, “Fire fighters statewide are indebted to her determination.”

At the end of 2000, some 200 active and retired Philadelphia fire fighters and paramedics were known to be infected with Hepatitis-C. However, Mayor Street and other City officials refused to recognize the disease as an occupational illness, preventing infected Local 22 members from receiving worker’s compensation benefits.

In December of that year, Kohler and fellow Local 22 member Norm Stabinski staged a two-week sit-in outside the mayor’s office urging him to change his mind. During her protest, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger staged a 500-strong rally in support of their plight. Kohler ended her protest after concerns surrounding her health were raised.

Vindication came one year later when the Pennsylvania state legislature passed a law classifying the disease as a work-related illness. But, the City pension board continued to resist. Many suffering from the disease were forced to fight for disability pensions in court.

Kohler continued to fight for benefits, even holding on to her job using hours donated to a sick bank by other fire fighters. But, she made the decision to retire in December 2006. With a regular pension, she received only a percentage of her pay. Her medial coverage would end in five years. With this week’s pension board vote, her fight for justice is finally over.

Today, she suffers from constant pain and chronic exhaustion from the disease. Her treatment includes five hours of chemotherapy every two weeks.

Hepatitis-C causes inflammation of the liver and is characterized by fever and abdominal pain. Emergency responders are often exposed to the disease when they come into contact with blood at the scene of an emergency. For more information on the disease, click here.