HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 03-17 Employee promotion angers councilman THE REVIEW /btu rJl r1,.1q/76
Employee promotion
•
angers councilman
by Scott Carlson now given in accordance with the af-
An employee's promotion in the firmative action program which states
Maplewood city parks department has that you hire people on the basis of tests
come under the angry scrutiny of coun- given relative to that which reflects duties
cilman John Greavu. to be carried out,"Miller said.
Greavu at last Thursday night's "We've been developing tests for all
meeting indicated that the hiring of the positions except department heads and
new recreational foreman Mel Gusinda, assistant department heads," Miller
who was an eight month city employee continued.He added,"The job was made
under the Cooperative Employment available to all people outside and inside
Training Act(CETA)was in poor taste the city."
and raised questions of human rights On the basis of the tests,two individuals
violations. scored at the same level with Gusinda,the
"I can see only one thing—there is individual who had work experience with
collusion in city hall,"Greavu bellowed. the city,Miller said.
"I don't want no damn part of it." Miller stressed," I never gave any
Greavu's outburst was prompted when indication to anybody that they had that
he said he was informed that a city em- job in the bag."
ployee remarked that"the job was in the While other councilmen were less testy
bag"even before former foreman Tony in expressing their concerns about the
Barilla,was ready to resign. hiring, Norman Anderson and Burton
MANAGER MIKE MILLER Murdock agreed that the appointment
categorically denied that there was any could have a demoralizing affect on other
collusion in the promotion and added he city employees.
could not be"held responsible for some "A lot of people who have worked here a
irresponsible statement made by long time were looking for an ad-
somebody under me." vancement,"Anderson said.
But Greavu's criticism was more than a Added Murdock, "I'm 100 percent
one-pronged attack on the selection of the against you(Miller)in the way you hired
new foreman. "You got the man from this guy. Any employee that comes in
CETA who is recreational foreman after eight months;and I don't give a damn if
eight months,"Greavu said."The thing he's a 144-year-old;if you take him over
that really burns me up is that the man anybody else that is the most
has been here eight months and is demoralizing thing that could happen."
drawing$1437 a month,the same as the ,But councilman Donald Wiegert and
man who has been here for 20 years." Mayor Robert Bruton offered no ob-
But Greavu, who was unaware that jections because a test was administered
Gusinda is 45 years old and is an ex- or that the new foreman had only worked
perienced worker in supervisory in the city for eight months.
positions,also contested the fairness of "How else do you do it(hiring)without
requiring the new foreman and other a test,"Wiegert asked.
applicants to take a test for the position. Bruton said that Miller was"trying to
"You've violated the equal opportunity come up with the most qualified person
laws," Greavu charged. "You gave no without any prejudice whatsoever.
test to anyone before.You hire the per- Seniority is just one part of it."
sonnei officer—no written test.You hire
three engineers—no written test.
"All of a sudden it(the test)is done,"
Greavu said."When we moved Tony over
to the recreational department you didn't
make Tony take a test."
MILLER RESPONDED that the salary
for Gusinda was in line with the union
contract.As for the tests,"the tests are