Supervisors OK Blackout Policy

In the hope of maintaining service to the public, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an employee policy for working during unexpected blackouts.

The county has agreed with Southern California Edison to endure the occasional blackouts during peak demand to conserve power and save 20% on its energy bill, enough to save $4.3 million over the 12-year course of the program.

But with a statewide power shortage last week, which resulted in three local blackouts in as many days, county computers were rendered useless and some of the county’s 7,000 employees left work early.

“We need a policy in place to ensure that when people are [here], they’re working,” Chief Administrative Officer Harry Hufford said.

The new policy states that all public counters should remain open, that employees may telecommute or use leave time during blackouts, and that management staff members should remain on site.

Barry Hammitt, executive director of the local Service Employees International Union, said employees are concerned about inequities among departments, and that the policy doesn’t mention employees with specific hardships, such as those in wheelchairs who require working elevators.

Although they passed the policy, supervisors said that at their next meeting Sept. 12, they want clarification of the issues Hammitt raised.