Security Labor / Management

Meeting Minutes

April 23, 2002, 6:15 am

          

Attending:      Frank Thompson, Brad Heath, Jonathan Herman, Ted Long, Mike Malizio, Kim Olerich, Jim Steiner, Scott Campbell, Elizabeth Mancino, Harvey Smath, and Carl Bramlett.  Kari Lady, President of AFSCME Non-Security, attended as a guest.

Issue:              Review of previous minutes.

Discussion:    The minutes of the March 28, 2002 meeting were reviewed and approved.

Action:            As above.

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Issue:              Security Staffing:  How many security staff (FTE’s) are budgeted at CRCI?  What is the current number of security staff vacancies?  How many temporary hires are employed now as security staff?  How Many security staff are currently on long term leave or otherwise unavailable for work?  How many security staff have yet to attend DPSST?

Discussion:    Report of staffing presented to local union (see enclosure (1)).   Scott Campbell asked why lieutenants were not an appropriate subject for discussion.  Frank Thompson stated that he wants to stay as close to the CBA as possible on items that are discussed at this meeting.  He suggested Scott use e-mail or a telephone call to discuss these issues.  Scott then stated he does not want temporary hires, that are currently backing-up represented staff in lieutenant out-of-class positions, working in some areas of CRCI.  He wants management to fill empty management service positions and return represented staff to their regular positions. No disciplinary letters were issued since the last meeting.

                        Position                      Number                      Vacancies

                        Sergeant                          7                                     0

                        Corporal                           9                                     0

                        GF Officer                       49                                    0

                        GF Work Crew                 4                                     0

                         OF Work Crew                4                                     3

                        Temporary Hire                3

                        Long Term Leave             1

                        Pending DPSST              7

Remain on Agenda

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Issue:  Control of Unscheduled Leave:  Superintendents will work through their Labor/Management committees within their institutions to define the indicators that will enable this group to address unscheduled leave, how it might be controlled and what is reasonable in terms of beginning the supervisor/employee dialog on unscheduled leave. 

Discussion:    The CRCI Workgroup Report prepared by the AFSCME Non-Security union and management has been submitted to AD Kris Kautz.  A copy was presented to the Security union, as they had elected not to participate.  Frank asked labor to review the document.  Overtime costs are increasing, and CRCI needs to lower the use of unscheduled leave.  Mike Malizio printed and distributed a report of overtime use for the last six months by category to those present.  Ted Long gave an overview of one of the factors driving overtime costs – the DOC relief factor of 1.7 for a seven day relieved post.  This relief factor is not adequate to cover training and leave authorized for individual staff.  Both Jim Steiner and Scott agreed with Ted’s detailing of relief factors.

Action:            Frank asked labor to work with management on this issue to reduce unscheduled leave.

Remain on Agenda.

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Issue:              Travel Expense Reimbursement for DPSST:  There has been a change in the method of reimbursing travel expenses.

Discussion:    Brad Heath stated that a survey had been done on all institutions in the State to determine how they are reimbursing employees for attending DPSST, in order for CRCI to be in line with the other functional units in DOC.  Scott then said the ISM had changed the policy, and labor had not received a copy of the change.  Scott said CRCI has a past-practice of allowing staff assigned to DPSST to travel back and forth once per week with compensation.  Ted stated he had sent questions concerning CBA Article 1 notification to Human Resources and DAS, but has not received a response as of today.  Jim Steiner noted the union would consider this discussion as Article 1 notification.  Scott then asked if CO Faletoi and CO Sims (recent DPSST graduates) had been reimbursed at the end of each week.  Jonathan Herman went over the past grievance on this issue, and the one-time resolution to the grievance. The Local Union pointed out the grievance resolution has become the practice at CRCI.

Action:            Frank Thompson stated the minutes need to reflect that this meeting is a notice of CRCI policy on this issue.  Scott Campbell then said he would be submitting a grievance, and taking other action as appropriate, on this policy.

Remove from Agenda

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Item:    Institution Air Quality:  Members of the Local Union feel institutional air quality is below OSHA standards. The Local Union requests the location of air filters, how often the filters are changed, when air ducts were cleaned last, and what is the fresh air exchange rate.

Discussion:    Ted Long stated that Jerry Sandver, Physical Plant Manager, and Greg Smith, Safety and Risk Manager, have been consulted on this issue.  Greg Smith had met with Scott to discuss air quality issues.  Greg had also personally vacuumed the air grate in the control center.  It is not believed an inspection by an Industrial Hygienist is warranted at this time.  It was also recommended that carpeting in this area be replaced.  CRCI has a $2,009.00 vacuum on order that will be used to clean air ducts throughout the institution. Maintenance staff currently conduct a bi-monthly inspection of ductwork and Mr. Sandver is satisfied the HVAC system is maintained to manufacturer specifications. Scott stated he has contacted the International Union about this issue, and does not like what he is hearing about the type of ventilation system CRCI has.  The Local Union stated the ceiling areas and exhaust grates are dirty in areas within the institution. This may be causing a recirculation of dirty air.

Action:            Frank Thompson asked Scott to share his issues and information with Jerry Sandver and Greg Smith.  Management might help get these issues resolved because if affects all staff at CRCI.  We also need to look at the regular maintenance schedule for the HVAC system at CRCI, and any research that has been done on a closed-air system such as the one CRCI has installed.  Mr. Thompson to visit with Carl Bramlett and take a look at possible problem areas.

Remain on Agenda

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Item:    Other-Funded Work Crew Supervisor Selection Process:  Management wants to discuss the new selection process.

Discussion:    CRCI issued a memorandum regarding “Other Fund Work Crew Supervisor Selection Process” dated April 10, 2002. The Local Union objects to the criteria as proposed. Frank stated that these positions were outside of the bid process.  He wants work crews deployed as often as possible, and he needs the most dependable staff in these positions.  CRCI has a legal responsibility to those employers that hire our work crews.  Scott and Kim Olerich have discussed this process previously.  Scott stated local labor is concerned this process will affect the seniority-based system.  Scott then discussed section 2(a) of the proposed selection process, and said management needs to reword the seniority definition regarding selection.  He also does not want section 2(a)iii (dependability) as a part of the process as sick leave should not be a factor in the selection criteria.  Jonathan Herman advised management that protected leave (FMLA/OFLA) cannot be used in the calculation mentioned in section 2(a)iii.

Action:            Frank stated the process will be held in abeyance.  He asked Scott and Kim to meet and reword the contested area, then forward the document to Jonathan for review prior to returning it to him.

Remain on Agenda

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It was decided to have the next meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 6:15 AM.