Mayor and Council Reach Agreement With DPW on Comp Time
Mayor and Council meet DPW halfway on comp time for working while Borough Hall was closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
The Mayor and Council have reversed their decision refusing to grant the DPW compensatory time for four days worked Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy when Borough Hall was closed. During those four days, all non-essential personnel were instructed to stay home while the DPW was required to work, clearing streets of trees and debris. Instead, the Mayor and Council agreed to meet the DPW halfway by granting them two comp days, instead of the requested four.
According to the DPW union representatives who attended the work session portion of Monday's Mayor and Council meeting, while the town-wide power outage closed Borough Hall for four days, all non-essential employees were paid for those days not worked. Arguing that they felt "blind-sided" by the Mayor and Council's initial decision to not grant the comp time, they informed the governing body that "it has been past practice for 14 years" that anytime Borough Hall is closed, they get compensatory time.
The Mayor and Council said that they were unaware that this was past practice, and there is no written policy regarding it. However, they agreed to give the DPW two comp days stipulating that going forward there will be a written policy that states there will be no comp time if Borough Hall is closed. The union representatives for the DPW agreed to the two days of compensatory time and the stipulation.
Jimmy Drake
6:47 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
I don't know the base/overtime hourly wage, but in my book, these guys worked their butts off and deserve 4 days and a hand of applause..
Again, in my book, if the regular town employees enjoyed (?) the days off - well these guys have families also and should be compensated accordingly. I viewed the annual compensation for all town employees a while back and NObody is starving on the payroll, BUT None of the other town employees have to work outside in the elements all year round. And, when the extreme weather acts up, guess who MUST go out?
Of course our firefighters do go out in these same conditions, do risk their lives and aren't paid at all, but the DPW guys are ALways out in the elements.
Just as a point to be illustrated - in another town if a (union of course) cop gives blood, he/she gets 3 days off. So, with what these guys went through, I would have voted for the extra days off.
and a thank you.
Ulises
10:36 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
I agree, they deserve the days they requested. I feel DPW never gets the credit they deserve for doing a great job in town all year round.
Thank you DPW for all you do for us.
Joanne Hudes
12:58 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
I agree and think the DPW employees deserve the comp time for all the time they work when other town employees are off. They certainly did a great job during the storm and were there when they were needed both night and day. I know they are owed a big THANK YOU!
David Bednarcik
12:02 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Why can't they be compensated for all their time? They deserve it !