Citywide Air Conditioning Policy

Interpretive Memorandum No. 52

Article V, Section 18 of the 1978-80 City-wide Agreement, abolishes shortened work-day schedules and heat days in lieu thereof for employees who work in air conditioned facilities.

Where there is a complete breakdown of air conditioning, the following policy shall be applicable to employees who have traditionally enjoyed such summer schedules:

There there is complete breakdown of air conditioning, the City will have one day from the date of notification by the Union to repair the air conditioning system. If the air conditioning has not been repaired after the first day, affected employees shall receive, in the discretion of the agency, beginning with the second day of the complete breakdown, either compensatory time credit of one hour or the shortened work day schedule for each remaining day during the breakdown. This policy shall apply City-wide.

When there is an allegation of a partial breakdown of air conditioning, a designated employer representative shall take the temperature in the center of the air conditioned area approximately 1 ½ hours prior to the end of the workday. A partial breakdown of air conditioning for the purposes of this Interpretive Memorandum shall occur when the employer representative certifies that despite the use of the air conditioning equipment the temperature indoors exceeds 85°. The employer representative may be accompanied by one employee representative for the purpose of observing the temperature reading.

Where there is such a partial breakdown of air conditioning, as certified by the employer representative, the following policy shall be applicable to employees who have traditionally enjoyed summer schedules:

The employer will have one day from the date of notification by the Union to repair the air conditioning. If the air conditioning has not been repaired after the first day, eligible affected employees shall receive in the discretion of the agency, either compensatory time credit of one hour, or the shortened work-day schedule for each remaining day worked which exceeds the above guidelines.