PACE Meeting with Commissioner of Public Works-  September 18, 2008

PACE President Gina Pagnotta met with Commissioner Basista and other department managers on Thursday September 18, 2008, to discuss several items of interest for Public Works Union Members.  Ms Pagnotta's investigation of the current Kronos system revealed a difference in departmental tardiness policy. Commissioner Basista said he would review the current policies and help to produce a department wide Kronos tardiness policy that would represent consistency in the Grace Period before an individual is considered tardy.  In addition to reviewing the policies, Commissioner Basista will make available a provision that would also detail disciplines for the number of tardiness in accordance with the City of Atlanta procedures that would define across the board disciplines.

PACE President Pagnotta wanted to put an end to the rumor mill by asking the Commissioner if a decision to outsource Fleet Services is true.  The Commissioner advised Ms. Pagnotta that he was not aware of a plan to outsource this entity of Public Works; he said however, the evaluation process is to ensure each worker was very productive in providing the needed services that would promote reliability, and excellent work habits. The Commissioner stated the department must successfully compete against outsourcing.  Employees must be available to work, deliver services at a cost savings and maintain reliability that would support the citizens of Atlanta.  Pace President Pagnotta,  City Councilman Howard Shook and Mayor Franklin spoke to Channel 46 News to address the rumor of layoffs. See Missed Video's http://www.cbs46.com/video/index.html "Atlanta Workers May See More Layoffs"

The Department Managers attending the meeting were very responsive as PACE asked for professionalism amongst supervisors.  Unethical behavior is not what the City of Atlanta is all about; supervisors must also respect the labor force and provide communication that is non-threatening or demeaning to individuals employed by the city. Job performance, manager's ethics and integrity goes a long way PACE President told the group. The Commissioner suggested he will be visiting each department at least quarterly to make his assessments of work, morale, focus, and representations.

President Pagnotta addresses the Quality of Life rumor for outsourcing. The Commissioner stated this department employees are classified using the bond funding. He stated if the Quality of Life department lost it's funding that the entire department would be removed and he does not see that happening at this current time. He stated that the Bond Funding is budgeted until the year 2010. The City Council would be the ones to discuss if the Funding will be approved in the future.

Lawrence Jeter, Manager of the Highways and Streets, stated that he has 12 individuals that have been exceptional in the performance of their duties in the Quality of Life Program, and he see's only good things from their work ethics.

PACE held the meeting to keep union members informed, as well as, discuss problems that needed to be addressed in the executive meeting. One question the Commissioner asked was "How Many Employee's in Public Works are in the PACE Union".  This is a very important question because there is unity in numbers.  Joining PACE gives the union a larger voice to make working in the City of Atlanta a better place. Joining the PACE union will help make positive changes that all employees should enjoy, however you must be a part of the union to help the voice of unity stand out. Fear and retaliatory methods are against Federal Laws in the State of Georgia.  By joining the Union, you are helping not only yourself but the entire work force.  Your voice can make a difference in providing better work ethics, increased benefits, representations, attorney assistance, and to keep morale higher than it has been in the past.  PACE will host a Rally during the month of October; everyone should come out and Join PACE or tell fellow team members about joining PACE.  If you lost your position or had a discipline that threatens your job is $14 a pay period too much to ensure your $19,000 a year or more position is safe. Join PACE today!