By William Tauro
Please read this email below that was sent to all city employees regarding what Somerville DPW Commissioner Jill Lathan wrote in support of our members at the DPW. Also see the Photo on the windows of DPW Commissioner Jill Lathan who recognizes and understands that there is a big problem in Somerville.
Please read this email that DPW Commissioner wrote in support of our members at the DPW.
Also see the Photo on the windows of DPW Commissioner Jill Lathan.
Dear Members,
Subject: Critical Mass
I wanted to forward this over to you so see that Jill is incredibly supportive and furious over the lack of support for the DPW workers.
From: Jill Lathan
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 3:24 PM
To: Ben Waldrip
Subject: Last Week…..
This was included in the Mayor report last week:
Critical Mass!
DPW is at critical mass with employees rapidly leaving for higher pay elsewhere, retirements, workman comp, and extend FMLA. Our rank and file are decimated and exhausted. We are even having employees turn down OT due to fatigue. For an operational department that is in peak season for events, road/sidewalk repair, tree trims, landscaping, building repairs/projects, school readiness projects, moves, etc. we are literally hanging on by a thread. Our lack of a union contract is untenable. In the next few weeks, I am losing a newly hired tree worker, HWY worker, and another fleet mechanic all because of low wages. All say when they leave they like working for Somerville DPW but can’t afford to stay.
This current state of affairs has destroyed employee morale and is forcing us to be a department that will need to increase our contracted work for essential services in FY25. I understand the contract negotiations are ongoing. However, I need to clearly communicate the dire straits we are heading into too. DPW has worked really hard to renovate, rejuvenise, and reconstruct the culture here. It has taken over 3 years of intentional due diligence and authentic investment in our crews to get them to actually believe that DPW leadership cares about them.
That teamwork and commitment to a common goal can only go so far. When these dedicated working-class individuals start turning down OT due to over tiredness, that is a problem. When I see my crews with their heads down just going through the motions, that is a problem. When we start having work stoppage issues and projects that cannot get done, that will be a problem. At DPW we take pride in the work we do for this city. However, if we continue on this path with no significant contract resolution then our only option will be to hire more contractors, which will reinforce employee’s belief that the City doesn’t really care about them. A costly outcome both fiscally and organizationally.
Jill Lathan C.P.R.E., L.C.S.W.
City of Somerville DPW Commissioner
1 Franey Road
Somerville, MA 02145
Office: (617) 625-6600 ext. 5110
Fax: (617) 623-7649
Email: jlathan@somervillema.gov