Subject: Lawsuit Over Cipro By Bill Lewis, President Trenton Metro Area Local

Lawsuit Over Cipro

By Bill Lewis, President Trenton Metro Area Local

I have contacted the law firm handling the Cipro lawsuit and have received some answers to the many questions I have been asked. I also brought them up to speed on the Trenton anthrax crisis. I will supply them with my documents to assist in their pursuit of justice.

I recommend all employees to be involved in this action. I have received permission from the law firm to inform all APWU, Carriers, Mail Handlers, Rural Carriers and Supervisors that they may join in on this action. Also you can inform any family members or customers who had been impacted that they are also able to participate.

No matter how long you took Cipro you should join the class action suit.

The request for medical records is only for the treatment of anthrax or side affects of Cipro. I have informed the law firm that most of us were treated by RWJ hospital.

The class action suit has to be filed by October 18, 2003. They will file the first week of October with the names they have and later they will file a supplemental list. If you choose, jump on board now.

posted September 4, 2003

APWU: Law Firm Files Class Action Suit over Effects of Anthrax Drug CIPRO

September 2003

Dear APWU Member:

You are employed in a postal facility that was affected by the anthrax attack in 2001 and may have been offered CIPRO as protection against infection. During the period of uncertainty as to specific exposures, many employees began a regimen of treatment. I have consistently requested that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) monitor residual affect of the treatment procedures, but to date have been unsuccessful in achieving that objective.

The law firm of Sheller, Ludwig & Badey, P.C., has initiated a lawsuit against Bayer Co., the manufacturer of CIPRO, seeking relief for affected employees who experienced side effects from its use, such as:

*tendon rupture *seizures *intestinal problems

*tendonitis *anxiety *insomnia

*muscle aches *depression *miniscal tears

This is to determine if you have an interest in becoming a member of the Class represented by this law firm. Adding your name will not commit you to any financial obligation to the law firm brining the suit, and you may withdraw your name at any time. Your signature will represent your agreement to have the law firm of Sheller, Ludwig & Badey, P.C. act on your behalf in the pending lawsuit.

If you have experienced side effects from the taking of CIPRO prescribed as protection from the anthrax attack, please complete the information requested below and return it to:

Sheller, Ludwig & Badey, P.C.

1528 Walnut Street, 3rd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Please Print

Name:

Address:

SSN:

Signature:

Post Office assigned to when prescribed CIPRO:

In Union Solidarity,

William Burrus

President

In other news:

Perhaps understandably, a company as bruised as Bayer is sensitive to criticism. But Bayer's response has been to inappropriately and aggressively seek to stifle effective criticism. It brought suit against the German watchdog group, Coalition against Bayer Dangers, for maintaining a BayerWatch.com website. Although the group should have been able to successfully defend against Bayer's trademark claim, it did not have enough money to litigate the issue.

moderator comments:

The class action lawsuit referred to above has been withdrawn by Sheller, Ludwig and Badey.  An anonymous source stating that the cost of suing a drug manufacturer was becoming too expensive to pursue any further.