Union in Campbell files grievance over civil-service exam

By jEANNE STARMACK

starmack@vindy.com

campbell

The union that represents water-plant workers has filed a grievance against the city over a civil-service test that was given in March, Mayor Bill VanSuch confirmed.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 759 filed the grievance May 9, VanSuch said.

The test, given March 22 for a water-plant operator and a meter reader in the city’s water department, attracted 68 applicants. The test was given at St. Lucy’s Church hall on 12th Street.

The grievance is over the fact that the person who prepared and then graded the test was not present while it was administered, VanSuch said.

Richard Groucutt, the former civil-service director for Youngstown, prepared the test. He is now in Florida.

City civil-service commission member Tony Matash administered the test, VanSuch said. The finished test papers were put into a sealed envelope, he said.

After Groucutt graded the tests, the civil-service commission submitted the top two scorers for each position to VanSuch.

VanSuch said the union’s grievance was presented to the water-plant supervisor, who presented it to him. He said he referred it to the city’s legal counsel in labor matters, Clemans Nelson & Associates of Columbus.

Mike Esposito of Clemans Nelson said the city’s position is that there is nothing in the union contract that would prevent the city from using an outside agent who wasn’t present while the test was administered.

“There’s been no contract violation,” he said.

He said the city will continue to go through proper channels with the grievance, and the union has the option of filing for arbitration.