01/31/07 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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QJ REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 31, 2007 light of the medically required recovery period." Since this did not involve an on-duty injury, even if he was entitled to the benefit for child birth, Corporal Ross would not be able to roll his days over from 2006 to 2007. In addressing these issues, Corporal Ross stated that he was on vacation until January 8, 2007, and he ' filed the grievance on January 12, 2007. He stated that was within seven working days of his return to duty. He stated that he understands that vacation days won't rollover, but he was told that they could switch his vacation to baby days and rollover his three (3) vacation days to 2007. Mr. Bodnar presented the Board with a copy of Black's Law Dictionary's definition of spouse which stated that a spouse is "One's wife or husband". He also presented the Board with a copy of the 2004-2005 Article 24 of the Police Departments Working Agreement and informed the Board that it had never allowed for an unmarried officer to have time off for the birth of their child. Division Chief Richard Kilgore addressed the Board stating that this situation had come up once in 2004. The mother was allowed one day for the birth of her child, the father was not allowed paid time off. He stated that there is also another Employee at the same time as Corporal Ross who was denied leave, and docked three (3) days pay. President Rodriguez stated that she was not comfortable proceeding without counsel and she thinks the Fraternal Order of Police needs to look at this policy and reassess it. She said that the Board of Public Safety signed the Working Agreement after being told the Fraternal Order ofPolice approved it. She does not believe they should discriminate against an employee based on their marital status. Division Chief Bishop stated that they can take FMLA. President Rodriguez noted that they are not paid at the same level if they take FMLA. Mr. Donald Alford stated that the Board is sympathetic to Mr. Ross's situation but cannot do anything. Mr. Ross questioned the Board's authority to change the language in the Working Agreement. Mr. Bodnar stated that any change would have to be voted on by Fraternal Order of Police members, that in the past the Board had produced Letters of Understanding which amended the agreements with the fire and police unions. Mr. Ross emphasized that he wants to see the wording changed to include employees who are not married be allowed to have time off for the birth of their children. He stated he will take his case to the next step, if necessary, to address future situations like his. President Rodriguez requested that the grievance be continued and stated there will be a Special Meeting scheduled to address the issue on Thursday, February 8, 2007. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, President Rodriguez declared the meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Jesusa odngu resident ~~ Donald L. Alford, Me er ' Juanita Dempsey, Member 1. Patrick D. Cottrell, Member ~--~-; J . Bruce J. BonDurant, Member T EST: • Cl~~ nda M. Martin, Cler c