Minutes
of the Labor-Management Meeting
AFSCME DC47 & Risk Management
Thursday, December 11, 2008
IOD Issues:
Complaints about Dr Burke – Kathy reiterated the
kinds of complaints that she has forwarded to Risk Management
about Dr. Burke’s cavalier and disparaging treatment
of patients. Risk is in receipt of the complaints,
and has heard similar concerns from others and will
raise
the issue with the appropriate parties. No investigative
results were reported.
Proposed change to Reg. 32.023 – This
issue was raised during negotiations but was not resolved.
The
Union seeks a method to insure that no one on IOD
will suffer a significant loss of take home pay, which
is
the intention of the 75% formula. Barry discussed
concerns about implementing a change, including costs
that would
be associated with changing the formula and making
it more individualized. The issue remains unresolved.
Mental-mental claims – The
Union seeks to formalize the procedure for evaluating
such claims. Barry stated
that the procedure is still under review; he defended
the role of the MEU in this process as a cost effective
service which is used mostly by the Police, Fire,
Streets and Prisons Departments. The scope of service
at MEU
is under review and could change within a month.
Risk is unwilling to do anything more about the mental-mental
claims at least until this review is complete.
Other Issues:
The Fairmount Park Memorial for
non-uniformed employees killed on the job suffered significant damage when someone
tried to pry it loose from the rock where it is displayed.
The city will repair the plaque, add the new names to
it, and they have planted new trees. A memorial service
will be held in the Spring. DC47 will attend and bring
members and we would like to make it a special event
involving DC33, Risk Management, and employees from the
departments where workers were killed.
Ergonomic Trainings have been held at airport, conducted
by Kathy Black. One problem noted is that the new chairs
that have been purchased in HR do not include back rest
adjustability. More training sessions will be scheduled.
The DA’s Office also arranged for ergonomic training
through Rachel Kimick.
FJD Issues – The ergonomic trainings at FJD are
still in the works and should begin with court reporters.
Kendall reported that 11 of 17 members of the FJD H&S
Committee have received Health & Safety Committee
training, and others will attend in mid-January. The
first meeting of the committee should be held in January.
The report of the air quality testing conducted at 34
S. 11th Street by the Colden Corporation has not yet
been received. FJD representatives reported that the
insect problem there has been resolved but that the roof
still leaks and they are anxious to receive the air quality
report, especially to determine if mold continues to
be a problem.
Risk announced that the personal
car use policy should
be completed and announced soon. The Emergency Response
Program is not yet complete, and the problems associated
with the use of tugs at the airport are not yet resolved.
YSC/EPPI – Regarding the ventilation questions,
Jim Lowe is waiting for the state to respond, and Teneka
Leach-Williams, DHS Safety Officer, is working on the
other issues that are still outstanding from our various
inspections.
DHS Car Shields – It was reported that DHS is
moving toward installation of a shield in one vehicle
as a pilot. They are negotiating with the manufacturer
and after market fabricators regarding the impact on
the warranty.
Workplace Violence Committee – The Committee is
working on a training module that should be ready to
roll out in the early weeks of the new year. The Recreation
Department will be the first to receive training.
Health and Safety committee Status – We had a
discussion of the various states of establishment and
functioning of Department committees. DPH is finally
moving ahead, and is close to having the Medical Examiners’ committee
up and running. The Commission on Human Relations is
moving slowly; and the Office of Supportive Housing is
now organizing their committee. Risk said they’d
soon have info on departments employing other Employee
Involvement methods and will forward them to the Union.
Kathy asked that the monthly IOD report be forwarded
to her as soon as possible.
