On Monday, November 16, 2020 at 11:30 a.m., the New Orleans Civil Service Commission will hold its monthly meeting. Because of COVID-19 and the associated restrictions, the meeting will be held on Zoom and by teleconference for those who do not have access to a computer.

As I mentioned at the latest Fraternal Order of Police meeting, it would be helpful to have as many comment cards submitted as possible. To be safe, I would recommend emailing the comment card by the end of November 15, 2020.

To join the meeting from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android, click here.

To join the meeting by telephone, call 1-213-787-0529 and enter conference code 888712.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell has announced that every city employee is required to take one unpaid leave day for the last 6 pay periods of 2020. Mayor Cantrell has also announced her intention to require every city employee, including public safety agencies such as NOPD and NOFD to take one unpaid leave day for each of the 26 pay periods in 2021.

New Orleans Civil Service Rule XII, Sec. 9.1(b) requires that the Mayor get authorization from the New Orleans Civil Service Commission in order to make employees take more than 12 unpaid leave days in any consecutive 12 month period. Approval by the Civil Service Commission requires the Mayor to demonstrate extraordinary circumstances.

The Civil Service Commission will take comments from those interested in commenting. I have drafted three general comment cards. If you choose to use one of my comment cards, you will still be required to fill in the blanks on page 1. I have filled in the blanks that are common for everyone, but you have to put your own name on it.

Click here to download Comment Card 1. Comment Card 1 contains a general statement about how the Mayor’s request far exceeds the 12 unpaid furlough days contemplated by the rule.

Click here to download Comment Card 2. Comment Card 2 contains statements more specific to NOPD.

Click here to download Comment Card 3. Comment Card 3 contains statements about exempting public safety, NOPD, and NOFD.

Click here to download a blank comment card with the common information already typed in.

Click here to download the blank comment card to fill it in however you would like.

Once you have decided on one of the pre-written comment cards or have completed a comment card yourself, you need to email it to CSNO@NOLA.GOV. If you do not email the comment card in, it will not be read.

You can download the meeting’s agenda here.

Please take the time to submit a comment card. Also, pass this article and any attachments on to your fellow employees or anyone who would be interested in sending in a comment card.