Agenda Packets - 1984/04/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-1)- On March 14th the City received a written notice of grievance from Local No. 49, copy attached, and a meeting was held on the afternoon of March 22, 1984, with Business Agent Tim Connors, Public Works Maintenance Worker Larry Decheine, and Director of Public Works Steve Thatcher being present. During this meeting Mr. Connors outlined his understanding of the situation and the relief that was requested by the Union per his letter of March 13, 1984. I outlined the events as they were presented to me and my reasoning for the discipline given. Mr. Connors indicated he felt the discipline was too harsh and I advised him that I felt it was proper considering the severity of the indiscretion, past disciplinary action I have taken of a similar nature, and the City's Personnel Code that provides that insubordination is a dismissible violation. Mr. Connors advised me that this decision wasn't acceptable and they would continue to pursue the grievance if I did not provide the relief they requested, I advised that I would not, do so and the meeting was concluded. On March 27th the City received a letter from Mr. Connors, copy attached, requesting that the third step in the grievance proce- dure be waived, I responded on March 28, 1984, copy of letter attached, indicating that the waiving of the third step would be unacceptable and that it would.be placed on the Agenda for the April 9, 1984 Council Meeting. I would like to emphasize that I have reviewed this matter in as objective a manner as I can and it is my conclusion that although the procedures could have been better, Mr. Decheine was adequately advised that we had determined to cancel the evening shift and that he made minimal effort to indicate to the City that he would not be returning to the shift because he wished to have a three day weekend and a return to the day shift would interrupt his taking a three day holiday. If that request had been made to me I would have authorized him to take a day's vacation and resolved his concerns. Also, I would like to remind you that we did take action against Mr. Kardell by removing him from the position of Public Works Foreman for this and other issues that raised our concern regarding his ability to perform adequately in that position. It is my continued opinion that Mr. Decheine was insubordinate in his actions and that the disciplinary action I took against him was, if anything, mild in consideration of what the City's Personnel Code provides. should you have any questions regarding this matter prior to Monday night's meeting, please do not hesitate to contact me. DFP/pf Attachments