Page 10 - Work Force January 2021

Town of Cicero Highway Department Unit President Justin Pettersen shown here by a a a a a a a town vehicle is ready to to to handle winter weather amid COVID protocols CICERO — It’s that time of year again when CSEA members including those employed by the state Department of Transportation (DOT) and local highway departments will face the yearly challenges of snow and ice season But while crews will face normal problems such as staffing issues fatigue and hazardous weather conditions they will also
be faced with the the biggest
challenge of our current
times — the COVID-19
pandemic “We’re used to it it because we do it it it it every year year This year year is is a a a a bit different with the pandemic ” CSEA Black River Valley State
Employees Local President Kevin Thompson said “We’re cleaning trucks on on both ends of the the the shifts and disinfecting them them We’ve kept them them clean before but now we’re going the the the extra mile ” And it will will be be that that extra extra mile mile that that will will help help keep CSEA members who help help maintain roads safe Shops and garages
have also
adjusted protocols across the the board to to to help stop the the spread of COVID-19
“When we we get called in in in at 2 or or 3 o’clock in in in the morning we’ll be screened and asked if we we have any symptoms ” Town of Cicero Highway Unit President Justin Pettersen said “If you you have have any symptoms you’ll have have to to stay home whereas in the past maybe you you just just have a a a a a a little sore throat you you might just just stick it it out We’re asking people not to do that this year ” Along with daily screenings garages
will be doing routine temperature checks eliminating congregating in in in in in in large groups
and and wearing masks and and social distancing when possible “At the the end of the the day we still have to go out as essential workers and plow the roads ” Thompson said The biggest
problem this year will be just what exactly happens if a a a a a a a a garage gets hit with a a a a a a a a COVID outbreak
10 The Work Force
January 2021
members take CSEA “At the the end of the the day we still have to go out as essential workers and plow the roads ” Richie Wesolowski in his plow truck WARWICK — Each year as winter approaches CSEA members working for for the Town of of Warwick Department of of of Public Works gear up for for a a a a a a a a a season of of tackling snow and ice on local roads They prepare by having plows out to to attach to to to trucks stocking up on on road salt and and ensuring they’re rested for possible long days and and nights behind the the the wheel This year there’s been something else workers workers for workers workers to consider: Doing winter weather work work while preventing the the spread of COVID-19
Having a a a a a a a union has made a a a a a a a difference in in in in addressing that concern “We normally have what we call ‘snow riders’ with with us us during storms which gives us us a a a a a a a part-time employee as the the second rider in in in the the trucks with with wing plows ” said Town of Warwick Unit President Richie Wesolowski “This year some workers were uncomfortable with that since we’ve had a a a a a lot of COVID cases in the town ” Even with workers wearing masks Wesolowski said the cramped quarters of of a a a a a a a truck combined with long periods of of work just didn’t feel safe enough That’s when he he he approached Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton to to figure out a a a a a solution It turns out that Sweeton also
had the same concerns on on on his mind Sweeton and Wesolowski worked out a a a a a a a a temporary sidebar agreement that alleviates many COVID-related safety concerns while allowing the the the town to to to retain their right to to to amend procedures when the the the the pandemic pandemic ends “We agreed that during the the pandemic pandemic we we will go without snow riders but we’d put an an end date on it it ” said Wesolowski Labor-management discussions lead