| State drops charges in e-mail case against PEF steward | |
| By DENYCE DUNCAN LACY Disciplinary charges against a PEF steward for using office e-mail for union business have been dropped. Sheila Bradwell, an employee of the Department of Health (DOH) in Albany, was issued a notice of discipline in May 1999 for violating a DOH ban against the use of state equipment for union and non-state business activities. Bradwell filed a grievance and the union filed an improper practice charge on her behalf arguing that the DOH e-mail policy was discriminatory by only prohibiting transmission of messages about union business. In the agreement reached between DOH and PEF, all charges against Bradwell are being withdrawn and her record expunged. Additionally, DOH rescinded the e-mail policy Bradwell allegedly violated; in return, PEF withdrew the improper practice charge. "I'm pleased that we have been able to work out a mutually satisfactory resolution in the Bradwell e-mail case," said PEF President Roger Benson. "This started out as a contentious process last summer," said Lou Matrazzo, PEF Division 205 grievance chair at DOH. "In December, DOH management indicated that the department wished to find common ground to resolve the issue, and to repair relations with PEF. An amicable settlement that addressed the concerns of both sides was hammered out. I hope that we can continue to build on the common bond and spirit of cooperation that both sides exhibited at the table," Matrazzo added. As a result of the settlement, DOH staff may continue to use e-mail within reasonable bounds for professional, personal and union business. To ensure that all DOH employees are aware of the e-mail settlement, PEF stewards distributed an informational flyer throughout the agency on February 1. (See sample at left.) |
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