Crackdown as one-third of Streets, San out daily
LABOR | Rampant absenteeism spurs mandatory call rule
Chicago's Streets and Sanitation commissioner is cracking the whip to reduce absenteeism that sidelines nearly one-third of all laborers every day.
With laborers working a shortened week to cut costs, Tom Byrne has told union leaders he no longer can afford to tolerate chronic absenteeism and still provide the housekeeping services Chicago taxpayers demand.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
From now on, laborers will be required to call a central telephone number at least one hour before their scheduled reporting time to declare their intention to be absent that day. Those who don't will be considered "absent without leave" and could face disciplinary action.
Chronic abusers and those with patterns of absenteeism will face progressively longer suspensions and even termination, a source said.
Those absent for more than three days could be required to present a doctor's note, a point of contention with the rank-and-file.
"Why should we have to spend more than $100 to go to a doctor to tell us, 'Take two aspirins and call me in the morning,' " one veteran laborer said, suggesting a pharmacy receipt instead.
Laborers do not get sick days. They are permitted to hold up to five vacation days to be used as sick days with supervisors' approval.
Absences are reported to the ward office or work location. That opens the door to the "buddy system" where friends authorize sick days for friends and fail to report abuses. It also explains why only a handful of chronic absentees are punished each year.
"Tom Byrne wants to be much more aggressive with the discipline," said a source familiar with the crackdown.
Lou Phillips, business manager of Laborers Local 1001, could not be reached for comment.
Streets and Sanitation spokesman Matt Smith refused to comment on specifics of the absenteeism crackdown or the department's "internal personnel policies." He would only say, "We are always looking for ways to improve efficiencies in our operations and boost employee productivity and accountability."