Object to New Time System
Call Hand-Scanners a Crime

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

The city employees who analyze DNA from crime scenes protested March 25 against timekeeping technology that is forcing them to give up some of their own biometric information just to enter their workplace.

The Chief-Leader/Pat Arnow HAND US SOME RESPECT: City employees who examine DNA from crime scenes rallied last week to protest new hand-print time-clocks just installed at their state-of-the-art lab in Manhattan. They say the new system is disrespectful and discriminatory, especially since all managers and any union members who make more than $68,000 are exempt.

The hand-print scanners were installed the day before the rally and about 50 forensic scientists picketed outside the Department of Health's lower Manhattan headquarters in an effort to convince management to retract the policy.

The Back of His Hand

"The city has my fingerprints, they have my DNA, and now they have my palm prints," said Criminalist Kareem Belt. "Not even the bad guys have to give up that much."

The Civil Service Technical Guild members who work at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner were the latest group to protest the palm-scanning technology, which is part of the city's new program to aggressively track employee hours.

The Chief-Leader/Pat Arnow I'LL DO THE FINGER-PRINTING AROUND HERE: Criminalist Michelle Sylvester was one of about 50 Civil Service Technical Guild members who last week protested the city's decision to use palm-scanners to keep track of their workday. 'They trust us to examine evidence, but we're not trusted to keep our own time-clocks?' she asked.

Like those at the Parks Department and the Department of Design and Construction, the DOH employees don't object to the aspect of CityTime that is shifting from paper to electronic timesheets. It is the use of the biometric tracking that the workers object to, and they see it as a sign of disrespect.

"They trust us to examine evidence, but we're not trusted to keep our own time-clocks?" asked Michelle Sylvester, who was wearing a button that demanded, "Recognize People Not Palms."

City's Rationale

Officials at the Office of Payroll Administration, who are in charge of the new time-keeping system, have argued that it will be more efficient and accurate and ensure that "city workers are paid for the hours they work."

But officials at the Tech Guild, which is Local 375 of District Council 37, say that the rigidity of the system hurts morale and is an impediment to a productive work environment. "They are called in to work at all kinds of odd hours," said Local 375 Vice President Jon Forster, "because crimes don't just happen nine to five."

Most DOH Criminalists work in the new state-of-the-art lab on East 27th St., but they are often called on to testify in court about the evidence they analyze. That means they must coordinate their schedules with the new scanning device to make sure that they punch in and out at the exact times required. Punching out late can cause problems, because any time clocked over eight hours requires pre-approval for overtime.

Lisa Mertz, who has worked as a city Criminalist for the past three years, said there have already been technological foul-ups with the machinery. "Scanning in can be a very laborious process," she said. "People are being told their hands aren't valid. And they look at their hand and say, 'But I know this is my hand.' What more can they do?"

Says Favors Bosses

Ms. Mertz, who was holding a sign that read, "DNA Analysis is the Key, How We Keep Time Shouldn't Be," also believes the practice is discriminatory because it is imposed depending upon salary and title. All managers are exempt from having to scan in, and any civil servants who make more than $68,000 a year can also bypass the machines.

As the forensic scientists marched on the sidewalk of lower Manhattan in the chilling spring wind, Tech Guild President Claude Fort said the union would continue to oppose the practice. "These members fight crime; they make the city safer," he said. "They should not be subjected to this kind of treatment."