[Kzyxtalk] Respnse to Dennis O'Brien re Programmer Termination

[Benj Thomas]

Denny, I’ve read your letter re grievance and appreciated yourbelief that I, as the Personnel Committee chair, will try to do the rightthing. Me too.  I’ve also looked atthe Station Handbook section on “Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and GrievanceProcedure”, pages 3-4 in my copy. My first take, one that I have run by BarbaraLamb, the second (just appointed) member of the committee, is that theGrievance procedure is the third and final step in resolving a dispute. Theprocess as described in the Handbook may only take place when the first andsecond efforts have failed. If there are disputes that have gone through the first twosteps and are ready for the Personnel Committee to get involved, I would liketo know this ASAP. If any individuals are hoping to bypass the first steps, itdoesn’t seem to me that the handbook allows for that. And I am for sure not expectingto avoid following established and written-down procedure. It seems to me thatthe possibility that steps one and two may fail is recognized and dealt with bystep three. You also write, “I encourage anyone who has been wronged,either by losing their program or being denied one, to bring the matter beforethe Personnel Committee.”  In saying “orbeing denied one”, you are allotting to the Personnel Committee authority thatis way beyond its charge. There may be instances of unfairness or bias inapproving some programmers and denying others, and while that’s a frequentlyheard complaint it’s not a matter under the purview of this committee. The PersonnelCommittee deals with staff, not those wanting to be staff. Please try topersuade me that my first take is wrong. Being proved wrong is good for thesoul, I know. Best,Benj Thomas
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