October 9, 2015

Several upset Blytheville Public Works and sanitation employees gathered at the mayor's office Friday morning. Two employees told the Courier News that they were being asked to work longer, but with no increase in pay. All employees loaded up and drove away, after saying that they could not get anyone to speak with them and that they were told to be back at 1 p.m. ...

Several upset Blytheville Public Works and sanitation employees gathered at the mayor's office Friday morning.

Two employees told the Courier News that they were being asked to work longer, but with no increase in pay. All employees loaded up and drove away, after saying that they could not get anyone to speak with them and that they were told to be back at 1 p.m. that afternoon. Instead, Mayor James Sanders and Councilman R.L. Jones met workers at Public Works and pitched the proposed 1-cent tax.

"It appears that at their morning briefing this morning there were some things that they didn't understand and some questions were raised. I'm getting two different sides. Secondly, it was about this minimum wage rate, and they intended to ask about that before going on their route," Sanders said via phone Friday morning.

Sanders said that he would be having a meeting with the sanitation workers at the Public Works shop at 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon to discuss their concerns and to answer their questions.

When the CN arrived at the shop for the meeting, Sanders said that he didn't want to infringe upon the rights of the employees, and therefore called the Arkansas Municipal League (AML) for a legal opinion whether or not the press had to be admitted to the meeting. On a speakerphone call, within a reporter's present, AML Executive Director Don Zimmerman asked if Sanders was the only government official present for the meeting. He was told that Councilman R. L. Jones was also present. Upon hearing that information, Zimmerman said that it could be argued that it was a government body meeting and that the press could be allowed in. Sanders thanked him and allowed the reporter to attend.

Employees spoke to Sanders about what they perceived to be "new restrictions" and "more work," while not getting more pay. They also complained that they have been promised pay raises by the city numerous times in the past but that they have not been forthcoming.

One employee said that they now are not allowed to go to the dump until after 1 p.m., and that when they are done for the day, they are not allowed to leave until all crews are done.

The mayor said that the city will be turning in all the sanitation trucks and leasing new ones, therefore all trucks must be washed and maintained in order to be prepared for when the company comes to swap them out. But, he said that nothing has changed for the workers.

"I see you. I hear you. I am trying my best to get you raises. I am investing my own money to get this tax passed so that you can get your raises. But, I also have to make sure that when I get you those raises that your pay is competitive with competition like Big River Steel and industries around. I have told you that I'm going to get you a 6.5 percent raise to begin with, that's why we need your help on selling this tax," Sanders said.

There was also a discussion by employees, saying they heard those driving the trucks were going to get a raise, but that "walkers" were not. Sanders told them that all city employees would be getting the raise.

"All of my employees are important, not just police and fire. I have folks in sanitation that need this more than anybody. Particularly with insurance and all for your families. It does no good to have insurance if you can't afford to use it, that's why I'm asking you all to help me sell this tax. It is not all just mine. In the next few days I need your help," Sanders said.

Another employee told the mayor that they were promised a raise when the city took away the last truck. Sanders explained that the savings was not big enough to give proper raises and that sanitation fees or "tipping fees" that the county charges the city will be increasing.

Employees said that they are having to work harder in order to get done "on time" so that they can leave and do other jobs at home such as mowing yards to supplement their income. It was pointed out that one employee has worked for three years with no raise. Another said he had been there for five years with no raise and yet another for 11 years.

"I've tried this, and now I'm trying this. If this tax doesn't pass, then I'll try something else. It is all about persistence. I hear you. I see you. This building didn't just pop out of the air. I see you," Sanders said making reference to the new building that provides shelter from the elements to the employees.

Jones told the gathering: "It is one more reason that we need your help and if we get this tax passed...we have got to get you all raises and that is why we have got but one week, starting Thursday, voting begins. Remember to tell your family members and your churches that polls begin next Tuesday...we need your help...we appreciate you all and you are just as important as any of the employees. If you are a registered voter, go out and vote. Get on the telephone. This is a time to be lifting you all up...things have been like this for a long time, since the time of [Mayors] Tom Little, Joe Gude and Barrett Harrison. If this tax doesn't pass, we're still going to have to get this from somewhere else."

Sanders added: "If you have anything we need to talk about in the future, call me. If not me, you got this guy [Councilman Jones] or call John [Musgraves]...or any of the other councilmen."

thenry@blythevillecourier.com

Advertisement
Advertisement