By Taylor Sisk
Staff Writer
CHAPEL HILL – Chapel Hill Town Manager Roger Stancil issued a memorandum to the Chapel Hill Town Council on Monday stating that the town has clearly defined procedures for disciplinary actions against its workforce and that those procedures have been adhered to in the recent firings of Kerry Bigelow and Clyde Clark, former Public Works Department employees.
The statement further asserted that the town did not contract with Raleigh-based Capital Associated Industries (CAI) for the purpose of interfering with the right of its employees to organize. Stancil wrote that CAI provides management advice, project work and consulting on a range of employments matters.
“Since my time with the Town,†Stancil wrote, “we have never engaged a person or firm, including CAI, for the purpose of interfering with the right of employees to organize.â€
Bigelow and Clark filed a grievance against the town and a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after being fired from their jobs in October. They say their were targeted for having filed grievances in the past alleging racial bias in job placements and promotions.
Their attorney, Al McSurely, has questioned CAI’s role in an investigation of complaints against the men, saying, “My best hypothesis is that the town believes the union is making inroads.â€
Stancil countered in his memo that the town “does not tolerate discrimination, harassment and other forms of mistreatment within its workforce or in its relationships with residents and visitors.â€
He further stated that the town not only recognizes the right of workers to organize but supports it with such efforts as “dues deduction from paychecks for those who choose that option and provision of space for employee organization news postings in Town facilities.â€
Stancil wrote that when he received notice that Bigelow and Clark would appeal their firings, he had the option of hearing the appeals or forwarding them to the town’s Personnel Appeals Committee. He chose to hear the appeals and delegated Deputy Town Manager Florentine Miller to return decisions.
The hearings were held last week and Miller’s decisions are expected by mid-month. If either or both of the men aren’t satisfied with the outcome, they may appeal to the Personnel Appeals Committee, which is comprised of community members selected by the town council.
At Monday night’s town council meeting, local NAACP chapter president Michelle Laws made another appeal for the council to review the actions against the men.
Laws told council members that as they begin to celebrate the holiday season, “I hope that you’re mindful of these two workers, whom we believe have been unfairly and unjustly terminated from their employment here with the town.â€
Steve Bader, a representative of UE Local 150, which has supported town workers who have filed grievances, added that Bigelow and Clark have thus far been denied unemployment benefits.