Baltimore union leaders blasted a controversial a new work rule Wednesday that bans personal cell phone use by city employees while operating city-owned vehicles.
The new rule, adopted by the city’s Board of Estimates as part of new employee regulation Wednesday forbids use of personal communication devices, including cell phones and pagers, by employees while operating city vehicles.
The only exception would be 911 calls to report emergencies.
Mayor Sheila Dixon proposed the ban in response to complaints that city police officers were talking on their cell phones while on patrol.
But union leaders roundly derided the proposal as a burdensome infringement on employee’s rights.
“There’s no proof that talking on cell phone caused a single accident or problem,” said Paul Blair, president of Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Number 3. “We really think this issue is something that should be negotiated as part of our contract negotiations with the city. It shouldn’t be decided this way.”
Glenn Middleton, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 44, said the rule was not fair to employees with families.
“What if they have to receive an emergency call from their child, or a family member?” Middleton asked. “We really think this rule needs to be thought through better and discussed with us in more detail.”
Dixon said the cell phone use was endangering public safety, and contributing to productivity problems with employees.
Blair said the new rule could be difficult to enforce.
“How are they going to enforce this? Are they going to charge an officer every time they use their cell phone? Are we going to open a separate (Internal Affairs Division) investigation every time someone sees an officer using his personal phone,” he asked. “We already have enough officers unfairly suspended.”
