Public Employee Press

Health workers get new gear

Members of Health Services Employees Local 768 who work as Exterminators, Pest Control Aides, Public Health Sanitarians and Regional Managers are now sporting new work boots and jackets, thanks to a union grievance.

Supervising Exterminator Jaeme Cannon filed the grievance in January with DC 37 Council Rep Cynthia Keyes-Padilla.

“The old boots were substandard,” she said. Members had complained about the inferior quality of the boots that they were required to wear in the field. The old boots retained water and fell apart from the sole when they got wet. They created foot problems, because they had no lining and no arch support; these are crucial for workers who spend the day on their feet traveling to and inspecting locations that can include trash-filled lots and damp basements.

The local sought to have management remedy the situation by providing its staff with better quality work boots. After several meetings, the Health Dept. agreed and gave the workers better boots; in August, the union withdrew the grievance.

“The new boots have ankle cushioning, arch supports, steel toes and puncture-proof soles,” said Cannon. “Everyone is happy with the new style.”

In addition to the boots, the workers also received dark blue waterproof jackets with the Dept. of Health logo and sturdy equipment bags to carry their laptop computers.

“This is long overdue,” said Local 768 President Darryl Ramsey. “The shoddy equipment that they had to use all this time put their health in jeopardy. I’m glad the city has provided them with new equipment. I wish they had done so a lot sooner.”