Accused of slacking, Hamilton city workers suspended

CHCH News has learned that around 30 city of Hamilton employees have been suspended – with pay.

The city isn’t saying much; only that it is a personnel issue. They won’t confirm which department the employees work for, but CHCH News did speak with a source who doesn’t want to be named who says they work in the road maintenance division.

About 30 employees were suspended with pay this week for what this person is calling “joy riding” or “deeds of misconduct.” Road maintenance staff do everything from patch pot holes, pick up litter, snow removal and clear catch basins.

The employees were allegedly taking their assigned city trucks to go shopping, go home, go for meals, etc – all on taxpayers’ time. The source says it’s been a problem for years and that it’s gotten so blatant there must be a serious reason the city is finally acknowledging it.

The city won’t confirm, but the source says there is a possibility that the city hired a surveillance company who took video of employees in acts of nonperformance, and it was determined that some of them worked as little as two hours a day.

While councillors don’t have all the details, councillor Sam Merulla says this is an unusual circumstance. “It’s pretty unprecedented to have an investigation that implicates as many as 30 people.”

Lora Fontana, the director of employee and labour relations says “this is not a suspension. They are on a leave with pay pending investigation. The city has unfettered right to place an employee on leave with pay pending an investigation, regardless of whether or not the matter leads to disciplinary action.”

City manager Chris Murray told CHCH News the process could take a couple of weeks.

A full time employee who works in the road maintenance division makes about $40 an hour, including benefits.

Video: Kate Carnegie reports: