Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
have apologized for the April 5 protest that led to a nearly
three-hour delay in sending trucks out to treat dangerously icy
roadways across the region, again vowing to hold those responsible
accountable for their actions.
High-ranking members of the agency said the investigation into
the incident is continuing, but stopped short of saying just what
disciplinary action will be taken.
“We apologize for falling short in our response that day,”
PennDOT District Executive Kevin Kline said in a letter to The Era.
“If the results of our investigation reveal any wrongdoing or
purposeful delays in getting roads cleared, appropriate
disciplinary action will be taken.”
Kline wrote providing “timely services is crucial to PennDOT’s
mission.”
“We take our responsibility to the people of Pennsylvania very
seriously and are committed to improving our performance,” Kline
said.
The agency’s internal investigation into the labor dispute
between equipment operators and directors at the local maintenance
department over promotions and management techniques is now going
on its third week, starting today.
The inaction April 5 led to scores of accidents and school
districts pushing back the start of classes. Several major highways
– including U.S. Route 219 from the New York state line to Lantz
Corners along with Route 770 – were impassable.
Meanwhile, it prompted angry residents and local leaders to call
for the dismissal of those responsible, something which hasn’t
happened yet.
Earlier this month, PennDOT Assistant District Executive for
Maintenance Ron Keim, said the equipment operators’ union, the
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME), is cooperating with management in investigating the
matter.
Keim added the union was concerned because there was no
organized protest sanctioned by either the local or district union
officials.
“We regard this as a personnel issue and we are serious about
dealing with it,” PennDOT Community Relations Coordinator Marla
Fannin said Tuesday. “We cannot outline a specific timetable (for
the completion of the investigation), but our intent is to move as
quickly as we can.”
PennDOT officials have acknowledged there were communications
issues between both sides. Those involved from the Bradford and
Smethport crews were apparently reprimanded by PennDOT officials at
the Mount Alton facility the day of the incident.
In regards to potential disciplinary action, Fannin said the
measures can run the gauntlet from oral and written reprimands to
suspensions and terminations.
“PennDOT, depending on the circumstances, has used all these
personnel options over time,” Fannin said. “However, we cannot
outline or speculate about what will happen to specific individuals
as a result of what happened April 5.”
Fannin said all the agency’s potential actions are in accord
with the collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME, noting
disciplinary action against union members can be appealed by
employees through the union using established grievance
procedures.
According to an employee of the local maintenance department,
who declined to be identified by The Era, the crux of the problems
came about after a group of “A operators” – who make less money
than “B operators” who have more seniority – were up for promotions
and were told recently they wouldn’t be forthcoming. The individual
also complained about micromanaging from two assistant county
managers.
Meanwhile, Kline took issue with the source over the Maintenance
Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness program and Growing Greener. The
individual close to the situation indicated the problems went all
the way to Harrisburg, adding if the local district doesn’t use the
trucks enough, they are taken away by the state.
“The issue of snow removal is not connected in any way with
Growing Greener, a program to improve the quality of life in
Pennsylvania,” Kline wrote. “Under MECE, we are working to make the
most efficient and cost effective use of time, equipment, materials
and man hours. The ability of MECE to save taxpayers’ dollars –
without sacrificing levels of service – is real.”
Kline that wrote in 2004-05, PennDOT exceeded its MECE goal by
50 percent, generating $17 million in savings that was redirected
to the highway and bridge system. Kline said the agency projects
$7.3 million in savings this fiscal year will be redirected in the
same way.
PennDOT officials did not comment directly on whether the agency
considered using an outside source to investigate the April 5
incident.
