Agenda Packets - 1984/04/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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f MEMO TO: Mayor and City Council FRO14: Clerk -Administrator DATE: April 4, 1984 SUBJECT: GRIEVANCE OF MAINTENANCE WORKER LARRY DECHEINE In order to prepare you for the Step 3 appeal of the grievance of Public Works Maintenance Worker Larry Decheine, this memorandum is being written to provide you with a chronological listing of events, as well as any historical documentation that might be of assistance to you. As you may recall, Mr. Decheine was assigned to an evening shift, along with two MEED employees, pursuant to the provisions of the Labor Agreement with I.U.O.E. Local No. 49 which requires a seven day advance notice for the establishment of workdays different from the employee's normal eight hour workday. The purpose for this modification in the work schedule was to provide for more efficient maintenance of the City's pleasure skating and hockey rinks during the winter months. Late in the week of February 6, 1984 and during the weekend of February llth and 12th, significant changes to our winter weather conditions occurred which resulted in our inability to maintain suitable and acceptable ice conditions. On Tuesday, February 14th, Public Works Foreman Gary Kardell was advised that he was to direct Mr. Decheine to return to the normal workday schedule followed by other Public Works employees immediately as we were unable to justify the continuance of an evening shift due to the lack of other work which would justify his remaining on an evening schedule. We are allowed to make changes to work schedules without notice as Article 9.3 of the Master Labor Agreement provides that, "In the event that work is required because of unusual circumstances such as (but not limited to) fire, flood, snow, sleet, or breakdown of municipal equipment or facilities, no advance notice is needed." Mr. Kardell attempted on several occasions to contact Mr. Decheine by phone and ultimately left a written message for him, a copy of Mr. Kardell's report to me dated February 17, 1984 is attached. Due to Mr. Decheine's lack of response to the written directive from Mr. Kardell, I forwarded a letter to Mr. Decheine, dated February 16, 1984, advising that he was to meet with me to explain his lack of response. That meeting occurred as scheduled with Mr. Kardell, Mr. Decheine, and Shop Steward Wally Mortenson being present. As a result of that meeting it was my determination that Mr. Decheine was insubordinate in his actions and that a one day s suspension without pay would be appropriate. Copies of the February 16th and February 22nd correspondence communicating my determination to Mr. Decheine are attached.