Five Things to Catch Up On: 12/2, Weekend Edition

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) - 

1) CT Labor Decision: Police Officers are Due Work Comp Payments, After 2015 Error (FRIDAY)

According to a recent labor decision in Bridgeport, police officers are due more work comp benefits than they originally were paid, writes Brian Lockhart of the CT Post. Union President Police Sgt. Chuck Paris told the media outlet that some of the 100 (and possibly more) officers could receive thousands of dollars for the error. “…He said the city is calculating the numbers, per the Connecticut Board of Labor Relation’s recent ruling, and the union will then double-check those figures,” per the article. “At issue was something called a ‘salary supplement’ negotiated in the Bridgeport cops’ contract. The supplement ensured that officers who were injured on the job and receiving, under state workers’ compensation laws, a portion of their regular paycheck would, instead, be paid closer to their full salary by the city.” According to City Mayor Joe Ganim’s office, the police officers will get paid back, and the issue arose from “ambiguous language” issues in an agreement between the city and police union almost four years ago.

2) CA Woman Arrested for Allegedly Hurting McDonald’s Employee Over Ketchup Packets (THURSDAY)

As reported recently in WorkersCompensation.com’s Five Things You Need to Know, Mayra Berenice Gallo was recently caught on camera, allegedly physically hurting a McDonald’s manager in Santa Ana after attempting to enter the restaurant through an employee entrance for more ketchup packets, writes Cindy Von Quednow of KTLA. “…Police said in a news release Wednesday that they received numerous tips from the public on the woman seen in the video, which led them to Gallo. She was arrested Tuesday on a $15,000 warrant at her home in Santa Ana,” per the report. The charges involve “suspicion of assault.” 

3) AL County Looks for a Safety Coordinator (WEDNESDAY)

Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long has expressed a want to decrease the amount of work comp claims in his community, writes Michael Wetzel of the Decatur Daily. “…So far in 2018, 23 county workers have filed worker’s comp claims. In 2017, the total was 28,” per the article. Recruiting a safety coordinator might help with that. “…The position pays $15 an hour and is set for 28 hours a week. According to county specifications, the ideal candidate should possess an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, safety management or related field or 10 years previous work experience in the health and safety field,” writes Wetzel. “…Of the county’s 381 full-time and part-time employees, 204 work in the sheriff’s department and account for most of the workers’ comp claims.”

4) Samsung Apologizes to Workers with Cancer (TUESDAY)

Samsung has made an official apology to workers who have been stricken with cancer, writes Charles Singletary Jr. of ShackNews. “…The company will pay the employees and families compensation up to $133,000 per case. The settlement covers 16 types of cancer, other rare illnesses, miscarriages, and congenital diseases suffered by the workers' children,” per the article. Samsung has manufacturing centers in multiple China and Korea locations. "’…We sincerely apologize to the workers who suffered from illness and their families,’ said the firm's co-president Kim Ki-nam,” per the article. "We have failed to properly manage health risks at our semiconductor and LCD factories."

5) FL: Correctional Institution Employees Arrested for Alleged Drug-Smuggling Operation (MONDAY)

Five current and former Santa Rosa Correctional Institution employees were arrested last week, along with a prisoner’s family member, for allegedly smuggling drugs into the institution, writes Hannah Mackenzie of WEAR, featured on KomoNews.com. A cell phone was found, belonging to inmate Joshua Bauer, with evidence in messaging, phone calls, etc. alluding to his “sexual relationships” with two correctional officers (one was a trainee). Another set of messages led investigators to evidence about molly and meth being smuggled into the institution as well. Another trainee allegedly took a $150 wire payment from an inmate, according to the article. Bauer’s mother was apparently involved in the smuggling as well.  

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