NYC Sanitation Workers Absenteeism Double the Norm, As Union Head Says 'You Can Never Count on the Privates'
From the New York Times on Thursday, in an item put together with the help of a half-dozen Times reporters ("Inaction and Delays by New York as Storm Bore Down"; bold is mine):
... Harry Nespoli, president of the Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association, said the problems late Sunday (during the initial stages of the Northeast's post-Christmas snowstorm -- Ed.) underscored how the city could not rely on outside contractors to help with snow removal and other jobs in such storms, particularly during a holiday weekend.
“You can never count on the privates, because they don’t have to show up,” he said. “What obligation do they have? The mayor can’t order them out. The commissioner can’t order them out.”
That's quite an interesting assertion, given the following item carried in the New York Post today:
More workers catch a 'cold'
Between 660 and 720 Sanitation workers called in sick for the cleanup of last week's blizzard -- more than double the usual rate, The Post has learned.
About 11 to 12 percent of the Sanitation Department's 6,000-strong force didn't show up for work on Monday or Tuesday, city officials confirmed, as 20 inches of snow brought the Apple to a near-standstill.
Perhaps one of the six reporters at the Times might consider taking a moment away from their paper's knee-jerk sympathy for organized labor, seemingly regardless of the damning circumstance, and ask Mr. Nespoli of the Sanitaationmen's Union, who you would think would have been aware of the absenteeism issue when interviewed, to elaborate on who can and can't be counted on in a municipal emergency.
By the way, a "normal" workforce absenteeism rate of 5%-6% (i.e., half the reported 11%-12% during the storm, or roughly 11-13 days a year) would be considered completely intolerable at just about any private sector company.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
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Comments
That's OK, at least these guys didn't contribute
Submitted by TheHistorian on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 7:54pm.
to the "slowdown" that has been discussed as the reason that ambulances and rescue squads could not get through. So, even though they weren't part of the solution, they also weren't part of the problem.
My company gives us 24 hrs/yr sick leave (the rest of the time goes to either VAC or you have to go on disability), and we are a non-profit. Imagine what a for-profit does!
I wonder if these workers understand what a gravy train they are on. I am sure that "Sanitation" is not a white-glove job, but those of us in private enterprise have our tales as well.
Dennis Prager
Have to disagree, assuming
Submitted by Reaver on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 9:27pm.
Have to disagree, assuming they weren’t sick they contributed to the slow down by leaving the city shorthanded at a time when they needed “all hands on deck”.
Totally ...
Submitted by Tom Blumer on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 9:31pm.
... agree.
Wha?
Submitted by Kansasgirl on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 12:08am.
Could you explain yourself again?
Never Again
Submitted by miss911ninja on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 7:59pm.
There's even more to this story. I heard a guy call in to a talk radio show (Rush, I think) last week after the storm. He worked for a company from out of New York State who had been hired to supplement the city's snow removal force during past snow storms. They had their own equipment and everything. He said the paperwork involved just to be "allowed" to work in New York was overwhelming, and then when it came time to get paid, it took forever and they only got paid 65% of what had been agreed on. So he said they'll never do it again.
Good Enough for Government Work!
Submitted by mdgiles on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 9:07pm.
miss911ninja,
You should realize that the people in charge of processing the paperwork and making sure the private people were paid, were probably also members of a public employees union.
The last thing in the world they wanted was for private contractors to show they could do the same or a better job. The also didn't want those contractors to want to work with the city. After all, private contractors who are satisfied with the conditions want to keep that contract; which means they'll get the job done or someone will come in and take the contract.
What I find interesting, is that the union workers were too stupid to understand that had they gone out and done a herculean job clearing the streets, the public would have loved them and been an important ally against the politicians.
Russian Justice?
Submitted by Retired Geek on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 9:16pm.
Apparently the Russians do NOT have a 'Nanny State Justice system like America.
The Russians stopped the Somalia Pirating of their Ships differently than we would.
The Russians simply handcuffed the large group of Somalian Pirates th the Pirate Vessel and sank the vessel.
For some strange reason the Somalian Pirates have not attacked Russian ships since???
WARNING: This is a graphic video and NOT for the faint of heart.
http://thpatriots.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-russians-stopped-somalia-pira...
Rotten through and through
Submitted by HadaAbeche on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 9:37pm.
Fish rot from the head down .. !The Old Gray Broad is really sick
Submitted by zachlind on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 9:57pm.
Perhaps someone should check to see how many NYTimes “reporters” (in Texas we call them Democrat Party/Union stenographers) showed up at ER rooms with knee injuries. New York Times, home of legendary Jayson Blair and his mentor Howell Raines.
"Stenographers for the
Submitted by Chris Norman on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 10:19pm.
"Stenographers for the Democrats" - I like that. It's a succinct description of the media.
The union carefully doing their job
Submitted by Hermano on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 10:17pm.
I bet the "privates" would have been much more careful around personal property...
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/amateur-videographer-rolls-as-sanitation...
Hermano is Saving the Environment - One Ribeye at a Time! h/t Dr_Liberty
Why didn't the city ask for outside help?
Submitted by Mary Louise Turner on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 11:01pm.
Here's something that bugs me. Why didn't New York City ask for outside help during the Big Snow? We here in Syracuse know a thing or two about snow - we get over 100 inches of the white stuff in a season. Mayor Bloomberg should have called in people from Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester and Albany to dig the city out. But then, with his ego, that would have been too much...
Why didn't mikee ask for help
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 11:39pm.
I think you're missing the point. This was a union action. NYC had the resources. Unfortunately greed cost some people their lives.
The reason is NYC shouldn't
Submitted by Jimme on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 2:00am.
The reason is NYC shouldn't have needed outside help. It has delt with worse storms not even 5 years ago. It's actually considered the best in the world at snow prevention and prompt removal by a sanitation department that is the largest on earth with over 5,000 trucks 7,000 workers.
Yet all it takes is one greedy Union and a few bitter surpervisors to throw a wrench in the works. Lets not even mention that these workers are better paid then cops. I know a couple who are raking near six figure incomes.
I am not hearing about the families of the victims
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 11:37pm.
You know, there were several deaths due to this TEACHABLE moment as unions act tough for money.
I would like to know who is getting charged with manslaughter? People died due to deliberate actions or lack thereof FOR MONEY.
Nespoli to Bloomie: "I got chunks of guys like you in my stool."
Submitted by SickofLibs on Sun, 01/02/2011 - 11:57pm.
Meet Don Nespoli, godafther of the NYSD.
And no, it's not Phil Hartman doing Ol' Blue Eyes.
SoL
Submitted by Chris Norman on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 12:12am.
LOL. Wow, and they say Boehner is orange? This guy looks like he sleeps eight hours a night in a tanning bed.
typical
Submitted by Kansasgirl on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 12:11am.
Hey SickofLibs, you think Nespoli is gonna get fired? Me either.
Get Rid of These Stupid Unions
Submitted by DaMama on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 1:55am.
I've had enough of these liberal unions in this country. They are all run by leftist liberals, they dont' give a rat's patootie about people. They only care about money, power and being in control. They spend the hard earned dues on liberal causes, regardless of the union member's political values. Union members get the best health care, best retirement, and they can stay home and rest on their rear ends and do squat while the average working person has to show up every day to work.
Get rid of these lousy unions. They are no longer needed in this country.
Are you kidding me?....this is exactly how these things should
Submitted by noncom on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 9:25am.
be dealt with.....the same goes for rapists....string 'em up by their thumbs on national TV and slice their genitals with a razor.....then keep throwing salt on the wound after scrubbing the wounds fresh with steel wool until they die slowly.....let's see what a slowing effect that has on that situation....
Obligations???
Submitted by Pilgrim1949 on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 12:21pm.
Per Mr. "Cespoli"....
“You can never count on the privates, because they don’t have to show up,” he said. “What obligation do they have?"Let's see now --- having served in the U.S. military myself, if memory serves me correctly, refusal to report for duty is considered AWOL and dealt with rather severely.
Likewise, any other private (no pun intended) company employee refusing to show up for work usually has a subsequent appointment with Human Resources to collect his last paycheck before finding himself summarily out of work.
I am sure if Mr. Nespoli ever needs the services of an EMT or ambulance driver to save his life or that of a family member, that he will take warm comfort in his own words should he be the victim of some "private" first-responder who, in a seflish snit-fit, concludes that he/she has no "obligation" to show up for work that particular day.
What an arrogant twit!
"Ye canne change the laws of physics....." but some politicians believe that with the right legislation you can pretend they don't really apply to your own pet projects...
Can't count on the privates.......?
Submitted by Herbster on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 2:21pm.
Mr. Nespoli can't depend on "His privates?" Has he tried Viagra?
Just so typical.
Submitted by ljacone on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 2:23pm.
So absolutely and utterly typical point of view which those who have drank the leftist Union Kool-Aid posses. They have never had to hold down a job in the private sector, so all they know about the private sector are what they learn from the media -- ie, that all private sector employees are either brain-dead wage slaves or greedy robber baron fatcats.
Fire 'em all, and charge those pieces of scum who let people die by not showing up to do their damn job with manslaughter.