Scott Satchfield / Eyewitness News
Email: ssatchfield@wwltv.com | Twitter: @satchfield
NEW ORLEANS -- The city is calling on civil service employees to share opinions on their jobs through a new survey.
One police union is calling the move hypocritical, saying the survey is similar to another study the administration spoke out against, just two weeks ago.
The city's new survey asks employees what is working with the human resources and civil service systems, and what isn't.
It comes two weeks after a survey revealing low morale within the NOPD sparked strong objections from Superintendent Ronal Serpas.
"Those of our members who have heard about this survey and taken a look at it said, 'Well, this is the same exact thing they said we were wrong for doing,” said Attorney Raymond Burkhart.
Burkhart, who represents the New Orleans Fraternal Order of Police, believes the city's survey includes leading questions.
Burkhart said it also adds to union members' fears that there may be an effort to soften the civil service structure.
"The letter that accompanied this survey stated that, for decades, employees and citizens have derided the civil service system. We don't believe that's accurate,” Burkhart said. “We want to know where they've gotten that information. Civil service is the reform to keep from the politicization of city government, state government and federal government."
The NOPD launched its own criticisms against the study commissioned by a police union, which showed strong dissatisfaction among officers.
Serpas called the results “predictable” and said budgetary limitations have created a major challenge.
"At the end of the day, I take running this budget seriously. We're going to spend the money, honestly transparently,” Serpas said July 10.
Now, Burkhart says it's time to throw out this new set of multiple choice questions and handle things more directly.
"I kinda wish they would recall it, and I think what the administration needs to do is meet with the heads of all the labor organizations -- police, fire, EMS, as well as the non-emergency personnel labor organizations,” Burkhart said. “Get with them, have a round-table and see if we can come to a solution."
