Union says Navy is
failing to prevent
office violence
A union is charging that the Navy has not done enough to protect employees at Pearl Harbor who have been threatened by a civilian co-worker.
The International Federal of Professional Technicians filed an unfair labor practice charge with the Federal Labor Relations Authority earlier this week, alleging that Capt. Stephen Barker, commander of the Public Works Center at Pearl Harbor, and the Navy are refusing to implement their own rules regarding violence in the workplace.
However, Navy spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Jane Campbell said yesterday that the Public Works Center, where the civilian employee works, has policies regarding workplace violence that are enforced.
"Such allegations are thoroughly investigated, and if substantiated, appropriate corrective action is taken in accordance with Navy rules and regulations," she said.
Ben Toyama, union spokesman, said the civilian worker, a chemist in the Public Work Center's environmental department, has a history of violent behavior and had taken medical leave three months ago because of his behavioral problems.
"When he returned there was no improvement," Toyama said. "He has pulled a knife on a couple of people. He told a couple of women, 'I can kill you at any time.' His anger and rage are out of control."
According to Toyama, the union contends that earlier this month, Stan Konno, head of the Public Work Center's environmental department, bypassed the union and initiated a "work safety plan" separating the chemist and one of the people he allegedly has threatened.
The chemist was told that he could not leave Pearl Harbor to work at Barbers Point, where the victim is employed, without his supervisor's approval.
However, Toyama said Konno's proposal is not acceptable "because there are other people whom he could harm."
"The Navy is refusing to take corrective action or preventive measures to ensure the safety of the employees," he said.