| DATE: | November 9, 2007, Revised November 26, 2007 |
| TO: | All College Staff |
| FROM: | David W. Sykes, Dean Finance and Administration |
| RE: | Policies & Procedures – Inclement Weather |
Please review the following policies and procedures to be used in the event classes have to be canceled due to snow or ice storms or other adverse weather conditions. These policies and procedures are as follows:
1. When weather conditions are poor before the start of a day when classes are in session, the decision on whether or not to modify the class schedule will be made no later than 6:00 am. The radio and television stations listed below will be notified by college officials, and the stations will make appropriate announcements
2. In case of inclement weather occurring after the work day has begun, the decision to modify the class schedule, both at the main campus and at the extension centers, will be made as soon as practicable. Everyone on campus will be notified of any changes, and faculty members who are off campus and scheduled to teach should telephone the college’s main number (860-343-5800) for updated cancellation messages. The following radio and television stations will also be notified and asked to make the appropriate announcements:
| Radio Stations WMRD 1150 am WDRC 102.9 fm and 1360 am WMMW 1470 am WRCH 100.5 fm WTIC 1080 am, 96.5 fm WZMX 93.7 fm WELI 960 am, WKCI 101 fm |
Television Stations WFSB - 3 WTNH - 8 WVIT - 30 |
3. Off Campus Sites:
The MxCC Meriden Center will comply with the Middletown campus policy. Exception: In the event of extreme weather only in the Meriden area and the Middletown campus determines to hold classes, the decision to cancel classes at the Meriden Center will be determined by the MxCC Meriden Center Director and the Dean of Finance & Administration.
The Old Saybrook off campus site will comply with the Middletown campus policy. Exception: In the event of extreme weather only at the off campus site, the decision to hold or cancel classes at this extension center will be made by our campus extension program director. Faculty should call the Continuing Education Office at (860) 343-5865.
Note: Off campus sites are ultimately subject to the cancellation policy of the school in which MxCC holds classes.
Instructions specific to certain bargaining units can be obtained through the bargaining unit contract. For your convenience, included in this memo is the bargaining unit contract language specific to inclement weather.
If the college is open, classes not cancelled and weather/roads are questionable, this is what your contract provides for you. As always, each individual must make his or her own judgment regarding the conditions of the roads.
| 4C’s Contract Language on Inclement Weather Article X, Section 6G 2007 NEW LANGUAGE Section 6. General Provisions G. Inclement weather or other emergency condition
Essential employees may be required to report to work as scheduled and/or to remain at work until the college is closed. It is understood that the late arrival (up to 2 ½ hours) of essential personnel, due to the severity of the conditions, will not be charged to the unit member’s leave balances. For purposes of this provision, essential employees are bargaining unit supervisors of employees in maintenance and security positions. The parties recognize the desirability of providing timely notice of class cancellation and college closing due to inclement weather or other emergency condition to clinical nursing instructors. Every effort will be made to inform the Directors of Nursing of cancellation by 6:00 a.m. or as soon thereafter as reasonably possible. Decisions reserved to the President or his/her designee under this section shall be final.” This new language is available on the 4C’s website, on the 4C’s Contract page. Click the small symbol prior to: “We are working to incorporate the 2007 changes into the above Contracts. We hope this will be ready in the fall.” By clicking on the symbol, you will be brought to the webpage that holds the link: Article X, Section 6G - Inclement Weather. This link holds the current information.
See the link to the 4C’s website: |
| AFSME (NP-3) Contract Article 28, Section 13 Lateness Due to Inclement Weather or Hazardous Driving Conditions “When an employee is late for work due to inclement weather or hazardous driving conditions, the employee shall not be charged for such lateness provided that he/she arrives at work within an hour of the start of the shift. In exceptional situations, up to 2 1/2 hours may be excused without charge to the employee’s leave balances if the severity of conditions so warrants. In assessing whether or not to excuse lateness in excess of an hour, consideration will be given to the time the employee arrives at work when compared to other employees traveling to work under similar circumstances. Failure to excuse lateness of up to 2 1/2 hours shall be subject to the grievance and arbitration provisions of this Agreement. In any arbitration of a dispute under this Section, unless the Employer can be shown to have acted arbitrarily and capriciously, the arbitration shall give substantial weight to the judgment of the Employer. This Section shall not apply if the employee fails to report to work.” See the link to the AFSME Contract: http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/OLR/Contracts/06_09NP3fv_REV.doc |
| Administrative and Residual (A & R/P-5) Article 16, Section 6. “When the employee is late for work due to inclement weather, hazardous driving conditions, or mass transportation failures, the employee shall not be charged for such lateness provided that he/she arrives at work within an hour of the start of the shift. In exceptional circumstances, up to 2 ½ hours may be excused without charge to the employee’s leave balances if the severity of conditions so warrants. In assessing whether or not to excuse lateness in excess of an hour, consideration will be given to the time the employee arrives at work when compared to other employees traveling to work under similar circumstances. Failure to excuse lateness of up to 2 ½ hours shall be subject to the grievance and arbitration provisions of this Agreement. In any arbitration of a dispute under this Section, unless the Employer can be shown to have acted arbitrarily and capriciously, the arbitrator shall give substantial weight to the judgment of the Employer. In those cases in which either the additional 1 ½ hours are not credited to the employee, or the lateness exceeds 2 ½ hours, said employee may opt to either make up said time or charge said excess time to accrued leave.” See the link to the A & R/P-5 Contract: http://www.ct.gov/opm/LIB/opm/OLR/contracts/AdministrativeandResidual%202003_2007.pdf |
| Maintenance & Service Unit (NP-2) Article 49 – Snow and Ice Assignments Article 50 – Availability of Employees with a Snow and Ice Assignment during Off-Duty Hours Article 49 Snow and Ice Assignments “Section One. (a) Annually, prior to November 1, the employer shall designate those employees having a snow and ice control or removal assignment or related assignment. Employees whose normal duties are not related to snow and ice control or removal work shall not be designated for such assignment. (b) Snow and ice control or removal or related assignments shall not be added to job specifications during the term of this Agreement without negotiation with the Union. Section Two. Where an agency requires additional personnel for snow and ice control work, it shall poll its bargaining unit employees other than those who have traditionally not had such assignments, prior to November 1 of each year to determine their willingness to volunteer for snow and ice control or removal work or related assignments at each such agency. Each volunteer selected to work snow and ice control or related assignment shall have that assignment for the entire snow and ice control or removal season (November 1 through April 30) and will also be expected to be available for the entire snow season. In the event that the State utilizes all qualified volunteers and there are still insufficient employees for snow and ice control or removal, the employer may poll employees outside of the bargaining unit, and if there still are not sufficient employees, the State may then designate additional employees in the bargaining unit to work snow and ice control or removal assignment or related assignment. Such designation shall be made only for employees who have in previous years volunteered or by job classification have worked snow and ice control or related assignment. However, bargaining unit employees preferences for snow and ice assignments (i.e. those who are deemed volunteers/ “spare help” from within the bargaining unit) will be accommodated first and foremost over qualified volunteers from outside the bargaining unit. Section Three. When employees are called out or held over at the end of their normal work day for snow and ice control or removal or related work, they shall not be required to perform unnecessary or "make work" tasks unless there are no snow and ice control or removal or related work assignments available. Section Four. The employer shall provide appropriate rest, toilet and eating facilities for the employees to the best of its ability. The employer shall continue to provide and maintain cots at each location where rest periods occur under Article 52. Section Five. As used in this Article, the term "emergency" means "a situation or occurrence of serious nature developing suddenly and unexpectedly and demanding immediate action." Article 50 Availability of Employees with a Snow and Ice Assignment During Off-Duty Hours Section One. There is no standby requirement for employees with a snow and ice assignment. No employee will be subject to disciplinary action for failing to remain at home awaiting a notice to report for emergency snow and ice work. This means if an employee is called by his/her supervisor for emergency work and he/she is not available, no disciplinary action will be taken against him/her. However, if an employee is contacted by his/her supervisor and he/she fails to report, without an acceptable reason, he/she may be subject to disciplinary action. Section Two. In the event a storm starts during the regular work day and continues beyond the regular work hours, each employee with a snow and ice assignment who is needed will be expected to continue to work. Section Three. If an employee assigned to winter maintenance operations is off-duty and observes that weather conditions are impairing highway travel or that hazardous driving is likely to result, he/she will make a completed phone call to his/her assigned work location for instructions whether he/she is to report for work. Employees are expected to make reasonable efforts to monitor weather conditions. If the supervisor is absent from his/her office, he/she will assign an authorized spokesperson to speak for him/her. The employee will be expected to follow the instructions he/she receives. Section Four. Employees reporting for snow and ice removal or other emergency work shall be on the clock and paid from the time he/she receives the call to report, provided he/she reports within a reasonable time of the initial call. Section Five. An employee who is consistently unavailable may be subject to disciplinary action.” See the link to the NP-2 Contract: http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/OLR/Contracts/NP_2_2005_2008.doc |
| Engineering, Scientific and Technical (P-4) (Inclement weather is not addressed.) See the link to the P-4 Contract: http://www.ct.gov/opm/LIB/opm/olr/contracts/P_42005_2009.pdf |
