25-1652 : Everhart - Letter Regarding Water Authority and Working Conditions

Council Member Zeneta B. Everhart has requested representatives from Human Resources, Public Works, AFSCME Union Leadership, Law Department, and the Director of Personnel to attend a Civil Service Committee meeting. The meeting is to address employee concerns at the Buffalo Water Authority, specifically regarding:

• Compliance with contractual meal and rest breaks.
• The process for filing, reviewing, and resolving grievances.
• Perceptions of inconsistent or inequitable treatment.
• Employee morale, trust, oversight, communication, and accountability.

The Council seeks clarity on how the Water Authority and associated departments ensure compliance with contracts and labor laws, the grievance process, the role of management/HR/Legal, and current steps to improve working conditions. The item has been tabled multiple times by the Civil Service Committee since its referral on September 30, 2025, with the latest scheduled next meeting on January 27, 2026.