Worksite incidents mean future of city-contracted work hangs in the balance
Statement of Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton - December 18, 2017
Guns, offensive symbols and disrespect will NOT be tolerated at any city workplace or location, and that includes contractor worksites.
That strong and clear message was delivered many times during today’s productive – and at times intense – special meeting of the Steering and Rules Committee at City Hall focused on recent very troubling incidents at American Sewer Services’ worksites in the City of Milwaukee. For the record, American Sewer Services submitted a letter outlining their immediate response to these incidents. However I’m still expecting the company’s owner to appear before us to address community concerns.
Importantly, the Council will be taking action starting tomorrow to make sure these types of problems do not happen again.
During its regular meeting tomorrow the Council will consider these related and relevant resolutions for immediate adoption:
- A resolution examining the city’s workplace rules and procedures for contractors. This file will look at an array of issues including dress/apparel, weapons, violence, training and several other items.
- A resolution examining closely the city’s outsourcing of work, and whether the city has been outsourcing that work at an appropriate rate or level.
- A resolution examining what types of currently outsourced city work could be brought back “in house” and performed by city workers.
Additionally, the Residents Preference Program Review Committee will begin meeting in early 2018 to examine and intensify city efforts to put city residents to work on city-funded projects.
I am pleased that a wide spectrum of Council members supports this important review effort and will be co-sponsors on the immediate adoption files. We hold the power of the purse and intend to make absolutely sure city taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and NOT with companies who display racism, disrespect or weapons in our neighborhoods.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
