To: Personnel Policy Committee

From: David Trumbull

Date: June 4, 1996

Re: Personnel Policy Committee Meeting May 15, 1996

The Northern Textile Association Personnel Policy Committee met on May 15, 1996 at the Best Western Lord Wakefield, Wakefield, Massachusetts. In attendance were Brenda Perry, Cascade Woolen Mill, Inc.; Sandee Muzaca, Crown Yarn Dye Co., Inc.; Mike Schwotzer, B.F. Goodrich; Dan Brown, L.W. Packard & Company; Leslie Dietrich, Raffi & Swanson, Inc.; Diane Wing, Warren Corporation; Rita McCauley, Warwick Mills Inc.; Linda Swanson, American Fiber and Finish; Theresa Pepin, International Woolen Co.; Sam Alex, Synthon Industries; and David Trumbull, Northern Textile Association.

Berneta Walraven, Director of Training and Education for the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) addressed the group. Minutes of that meeting are attached. Dan Brown brought a copy of L.W. Packard & Co.’s Policy on Sexual Harassment and Ms. Walraven brought a sample policy drafted by a local attorney. For copies of these sample policies call Nan or David at 617-542-8220.

The next meeting of NTA’s Personnel Policy Committee will be August 21, 1996. This meeting will be our annual outing. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Omni Parker House (details, map and parking information will be sent later) and will be a round table discussion, finishing up some of the topics we could not complete at the March meeting. Among the issues to be addressed are: finding qualified workers, interviewing techniques, and do’s and don’ts of interviewing.

10:00 a.m. Meeting begins.
Coffee and tea served.

11:00 A working lunch will be served.

12:30 p.m. Proceed to Long Wharf

1:00 p.m. Depart on Bay State Cruises for 2-1/2 hour cruise of Boston Harbor and Georges Island

3:30 p.m. Return to Long Wharf

Reply Form

I will _______ will not _______ attend the Personnel Policy Committee meeting and outing on Wednesday, August 21 in Boston, MA.

Name (s):_______________________________________________________________

Company:_______________________________________________________________

Personnel Policy Committee Meeting
May 15, 1996
Minutes

Berneta Walraven, Director of Training and Education for the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) discussed the functions of her agency, the laws relating to workplace discrimination, and what to expect if you file a claim of discrimination or if someone files a claim against you. Other New England States have similar agencies. Most of the relevant law is federal.

According to Ms. Walraven, MCAD received over 5,000 complaints in 1995, and found probable cause for 600 of those claims. Most of MCAD’s work is investigative, and about 80% of the investigation is conducted over the phone. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether there is probable cause. If MCAD does not find probable cause the complainant may ask MCAD to review the complaint; if MCAD reaffirms the earlier finding, the complainant can still go to court (state or federal). If MCAD finds probable cause the case goes to MCAD legal unit. A complaint does not go directly to court, rather the complainant must start with the state agency and exhaust all administrative remedies before a court will hear the complaint. In Massachusetts a claim must be filed within six months of the last incident of alleged discrimination.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1996 protects the following categories in employment: Race, Color, Religion, National origin, Sex, Age, and Disability. Massachusetts law protects those classes and additionally protects Sexual orientation and Ancestry. Claims based on alleged discrimination against one of the federally protected classes must be filed within 300 days of the last alleged incident.

Discrimination claims are of three types: (1) failure to hire, (2) termination, and (3) terms and conditions of employment. In 1995 the top three (in volume of claims) alleged types of discrimination in employment in Massachusetts were (in order): (1) sex, (2) disability, and (3) race/color.

If a claim has been filed against you or your firm, one of the things you will want to know is whether it is being investigated by an MCAD staff member or a volunteer. There are about 30 investigators in the Boston office, of which about 10 are volunteers.

A resource that may interest personnel managers is “Access New England” a publication of the New England Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center. The center, which is a nonprofit organization supported with federal grants, can give information on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The center can be contacted at 1-800-949-4232.

The group thanked Ms. Walraven for her presentation.

Luncheon was served, during which discussion of employment issues continued.

The group discussed questions about benefits and seniority regarding employees on layoff or termination due to permanent reduction in workforce.

Sandee Muzaca informed the group of a Dyeing Seminar for Laboratory Technicians being offered June 6 and 13, 1996 at UMass Dartmouth.

Mike Schwotzer informed the group of B.F. Goodrich’s purchase of Key Polymer. Mike now works for Goodrich. Key Polymer will continue to operate with a somewhat different product line. Both B.F. Goodrich and Key Polymer are NTA members through the American Flock Association. Mike can be reached at 508-975-0045 or fax 508-682-7165.

David Trumbull updated the group on the status of trade with China, including the fact that a retaliation list was scheduled to be released by USTR while we were meeting. [To get a copy of the list or if you have questions about U.S.-China trade, call David Trumbull at 617-542-8220.] Trumbull also briefly updated the group on other trade issues (new rule of origin as of July 1, 1996 and Canada TPL); environmental issues (new programs from Region I EPA and Mass. DEP); progress in developing textile program at Kennebec Valley Technical College; and the CCMI lawsuit.

Business conditions were reported to be fair to good.

The next meeting of NTA’s Personnel Policy Committee will be August 21, 1996. This meeting will be the annual outing and this year will be a Boston Harbor Cruise. A meeting was also scheduled for November 20, 1996, at which time the topic will be violence in the workplace.

Respectfully submitted,



David Trumbull
Member Services
Northern Textile Association