In a rare appeal, several water and sewer workers pleaded Monday for the Atlanta City Council to launch its own investigation of theft at the Department of Watershed Management, a criminal ring that they say involves middle management.
Watershed has made repeated headlines in the past several months for thefts including twenty-eight 700-pound industrial water meters worth $5,210 apiece, copper, pipes and more. A backhoe worth about $80,000 has also gone missing in recent months but has not yet been reported stolen to police.
“This had to be the work of organized crime in upper management,” said Gina Pagnotta-Murphy, president of the Professional Association of City Employees union, who spoke on behalf of the workers at Monday’s council meeting. “I’m tired of getting on television and saying it’s not my employees. … It’s up to management down to first supervisor.”
Pagnotta-Murphy described a culture of fear and intimidation at the department, listing myriad complaints of bullying and even physical assault.
And while she thanked Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration for its ongoing investigations into the problems, employees want more to be done.
“Employees felt this was the only way they could be heard and taken seriously,” Pagnotta-Murphy said of the group’s decision to appear before the council.
Many of them even singled out a manager, who is currently on administrative leave while under investigation, who they hold responsible for a hostile work environment and potentially theft.
The agency does not discuss personnel matters, but a spokeswoman said Watershed is actively investigating all reported thefts and, if substantiated, reports those cases to the Atlanta Police Department. The department is now implementing a loss prevention program.
“We hold our employees accountable for equipment and property entrusted to them. And if we find that there is a misuse of city property, we will deal with the employee accordingly,” spokeswoman Scheree Rawles said Monday.
Reed spokesman Carlos Campos said the administration takes the concerns seriously and confirmed an ongoing investigation of “many of the issues raised” at the meeting.
“We are committed to ensuring that we provide a transparent and collaborative workplace environment,” he said. “Any criminal issues brought to our attention are immediately forwarded to the Atlanta Police Department for investigation.”
District 9 Councilwoman Felicia Moore called for an investigation of Watershed’s security measures earlier this year. She said the employees’ appearance at the City Council meeting reinforces just how dire the situation has become.
“These employees are serious. It’s gotten to the point that they will take action, and it may be inaction,” Moore said, suggesting the workers could strike if their concerns are not heard. “I don’t think people should have to lay their jobs on the line to get our attention.”
Eugene Jackson, a 17-year Watershed employee and crew supervisor, said many employees were fearful of voicing complaints because “you get retaliated against if you speak out.”
Clinton Marshall, another Watershed employee, agreed that morale has dropped to the point that workers don’t want to report for duty.
Employees say they, like many Atlantans, are awaiting answers from management about the agency’s problems.
“So far we haven’t gotten any,” said Unray Tilliman, a PACE member who works in the water department. “We’ll stick together and hopefully resolve this.”
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