More than 25 state workers rallied outside the Bennington State Office building today.
Some wore gas masks. Others carried signs protesting a cluster of illnesses in the building.
The workers say that six cases of sarcoidosis, a rare inflammatory disease, have been diagnosed among the building’s 135 workers. They say that’s much higher than the national average.
The workers say the building also has an above average incidence of asthma and allergies.
The state is offering health screenings for employees but the employees’ union wants workers relocated to another building while the situation is assessed.
The building includes local offices of the agency of human services, probation and parole and Bennington’s district and family courts.