U.S Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, has asked the U.S. Department of Labor to speed up the processing of compensation claims filed by Western New Yorkers who took part in the development of the nation’s nuclear weapons program during the Cold War.

Following Thursday’s release of a report that was critical of the Labor Department’s handling of existing claims, Schumer called on officials to remedy processing problems so that former employees of Bethlehem Steel, Linde Ceramics and other local factories can receive a decision on their cases in a timely fashion.

“The one thing our Cold War heroes who were exposed to nuclear radiation don’t have is time,” Schumer said. “The Department of Labor must put their applications for much-deserved health compensation on the fast track immediately.”

Congress passed the Energy Employee Occupational Illness Compensation Act in 2000 to compensate individuals who were sickened as a result of their service in radiation facilities directly managed or financed by the federal government. The Act allowed individuals that handled uranium and other materials at nuclear facilities in the 1940s and 1950s to apply for individual payments of $150,000 and other benefits for medical treatment. Workers who can document their employment history and who have contracted radioactive cancer, beryllium disease or chronic silicosis after working at sites where nuclear weapons work was performed are able to apply for compensation. The workers have long contended that the federal government is purposely delaying the processing of compensation claims to avoid having to pay benefits. While Western New York has one of the highest concentrations of facilities involved in the development of the nation’s nuclear weapons program, Schumer says it continues to lag behind in terms of the number of claims processed.

In the report released on Thursday, the Inspector General found no evidence that claims are being inappropriately denied, but did suggest the department has been too slow in its handling of claims. As part of the report, the Inspector General made six recommendations to improve the claims process.

In response, Schumer sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, calling for the department to implement all the recommendations.

“Obviously, for the men and women now ill from exposure to radiation, time is of the essence,” Schumer said. “Already, far too many have passed away without receiving compensation for the injuries they sustained in defense of our nation.”

Contact reporter Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250