December 27, 2010
Yvonne Davis, Director
Essex County Division of Welfare
18 Rector Street, Floor 9
Newark, NJ, 07102
Re: Step II Class Action Contractual Grievance
County's Cold-Shoulder to Close County Offices
Article I. Purpose
Article VII. Discipline
Article VIII. Holidays
Article XXV. Non-Discrimination
Article XLIX. Safety of Staff
Dear Ms. Davis:
CWA Local 1081 submits this Step II Contractual Grievance on behalf of our Union’s members to protest the County of Essex’s refusal to close its administrative offices in recognition of the severe snow squall that struck the State of New Jersey between December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2010.
The following is a press release was issued by Acting New Jersey Governor Sweeney:
December 26, 2010 - Acting Governor Sweeney Declares Statewide Weather State of Emergency
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For Immediate Release: |
Contact: Michael Drewniak |
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Date: Sunday, December 26, 2010 |
609-777-2600 |
Trenton, NJ - Acting Governor
and Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney today signed an order declaring a
state of emergency throughout New
Jersey due to the dangerous snow conditions. He
released the following statement:
"The first action I took as Acting
Governor was to receive a complete briefing on the state's storm preparations
from the State Police, the Commissioner of Transportation and the Governor's
Chief of Staff. We have been monitoring the situation throughout the
afternoon. Based on current conditions and the forecast I am declaring a state
of emergency throughout New
Jersey.
"It is vital that police and public
works crews are able to do their jobs. I urge all residents to take this
declaration and this storm seriously, and to stay safe, stay home and stay off
the roads. We will continue to monitor this storm with the help of our State
Police and transportation officials."
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Of particular pertinence within the Governor's dire declaration is his assertion that " It is vital that police and public works crews are able to do their jobs. I urge all residents to take this declaration and this storm seriously, and to stay safe, stay home and stay off the roads."
New Jersey Transit posted the following announcement upon its website:
NJ TRANSIT SERVICE STATUS AS OF
5:50 A.M.
Issued Monday, December 27, 2011 at
5:50 a.m.
NEWARK, NJ - NJ TRANSIT
service status as of 5:50 a.m. Monday, December 27:
- North Jersey Coast Line service has been temporarily suspended due to weather related operating difficulties. Rail service is operating on an enhanced weekend schedule on all other lines except the Atlantic City Rail Line. Visit njtransit.com for schedule details. Atlantic City Rail Line service will follow a regular weekday schedule.
- Bus service remains suspended systemwide until further notice. There is currently no estimate on when bus service may be restored.
- Hudson-Bergen Light Rail is suspended between Pavonia-Newport and Marin Blvd. stations, with limited service elsewhere.
- Newark Light Rail is operating on a modified schedule with trains every 20-30 minutes.
- River Line is suspended between Walter Rand Transportation Center and Waterfront Entertainment Center stations due to snow accumulation. Service is operating normally between Walter Rand Transportation Center and Trenton.
- Access Link paratransit service is suspended on Monday, December 27.
- Of particular pertinence within the NJ Transit Service Status report is its assertion that " Bus service remains suspended systemwide until further notice. There is currently no estimate on when bus service may be restored.
Many hundreds of the members of CWA Local 1081 dutifully travel to work relying upon bus lines run by New Jersey Transit. Additionally, New Jersey Transit posted the following advisorary for its customers, "Customers should travel only if absolutely necessary."
The County of Essex Human Resources Policies and Procedures manual, Chapter VI.3, states:
It is the policy of the County of Essex to comply with all applicable Federal and State safety regulations to provide a work environment as free as practicable from recognized safety and health hazards.
Therefore, the resolution CWA Local 1081 respectfully demands to this grievance consists of the County Executive issuing a State of Emergency for the County of Essex and, as per Article VIII. Holidays 6. of our Union's contract, declaring a holiday for all County employees.
We seek a hearing in this most important regard.
Sincerely,
David H. Weiner, President
CWA Local 1081
C: Hon. Joseph DiVincenzo
Anibal Ramos, ECDCS Director
Hetty Rosenstein, NJ CWA Vice President
Alan Kaufman, CWA Representative
Steve Weissman, Esq. Weissman and Mintz