By Michael Howell –
The Hamilton City Council heard a grievance from the members of Union Local 1686 at a special meeting held on May 19 at City Hall. The grievance, filed January 10, 2011 states that the City has always provided work boots, work jackets and coveralls for its employees, but for some reason has recently quit. It was filed by Union Steward Rick Murray on behalf of all union members.
Mayor Steele stated that if the city had bought any items for the employees that the money would have been reimbursed and that to his knowledge there was no record of the city having done so.
Invoices were produced as well as letters from longstanding employees indicating that the city made past purchases and had made a practice of providing boots, jackets and coveralls since at least 1994.
Most of the councilors made statements in support of supplying needed safety and work related apparel.
Councilor Joe Petrusaitis said that if providing steel toed boots saved one employee from being hurt it would pay for itself in terms of saved medical and lost time expenses.
Councilor Al Mitchell agreed but said that not having a policy that made clear what was being provided it left the city in sort of a quandary.
Councilor West said that it was the city’s obligation to ensure that its employees were kept “warm, safe and dry”.
Mayor Jerry Steele wondered how far the city had to go.
“Are we going to dress them too? Are we going to buy them jeans and underwear and everything else? When you get hired on knowing the weather,” he said, “You come dressed for the weather.
Councilor Mitchell said that he would like to see a resolution of the question in the union contract. “Not as an adversarial thing, but just to see it addressed and spelled out.”
City Attorney Ken Bell said that he was not advocating one way or another, but that the real question for the council was to decide if they are willing to provide the clothing items and if so how much they are willing to pay.
The Council came to a consensus that the answer should be negotiated with the union and spelled out in the contract. They postponed any decision although the grievance must be answered within 15 days following the next council meeting.