Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

DMV ordered hundreds of Wethersfield staffers back to work after employees tested positive for COVID-19

  • COVID-19
  • by Keith M. Phaneuf
  • March 24, 2020
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"
Wethersfield DMV-goers endure two-hour wait times.

Alyssa Hurlbut :: CT Mirror

The Wethersfield DMV on a busy summer day.

{Updated at 10:40 p.m. with new details on Wethersfield office operations}

The Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner directed nearly 400 staffers to return to work Tuesday morning at the main office in Wethersfield despite multiple employees being diagnosed with COVID-19 — the first starting eight days ago.

Workers were dismissed around noon. Shortly after 7 p.m., hours after the CT Mirror published a story about the order to return to work, Commissioner Sibongile “Bongi” Magubane notified employee unions that the Wethersfield office would be staffed, going forward, by a limited crew of about 50 employees. It would also be supported with others teleworking from home when possible.

“Earlier today we took decisive and immediate action … upon learning that several DMV employees have family members who tested positive for COVID-19 as of today,” the commissioner wrote. “Additionally, DMV employees have tested positive for COVID-19.”

But sources close to workers’ unions told the CT Mirror the DMV had learned of additional positive cases among Wethersfield complex staff late last week and early this week.

“I think it is absolutely crazy that the commissioner would allow — no, order — 400 people to walk into what I refer to as a hot zone,” said John Disette, president of the Administration and Residual Employees Union, Local 4200-AFT, on Tuesday afternoon. The Local 4200-AFT represents about 120 DMV analysts and fiscal staff.

A spokesman for the DMV did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday afternoon.

Magubane had e-mailed employee unions on March 16, indicating an administrator at the Wethersfield office had tested positive on that day, but had not been at work since March 10.

Connecticut Public Radio

Bongi Magubane

Any employees who had come in proximity to this administrator were sent home and advised to quarantine themselves, the commissioner wrote. The rest of the Wethersfield employees also were sent home early that day, and the building was closed on March 17 and 18 for deep cleaning and disinfection.

Starting March 19, it was reopened to staff but all in-person public transactions were eliminated.

And Gov. Ned Lamont issued an executive order Friday closing all non-essential businesses effective Monday at 8 p.m., and provided extensive guidance on Sunday about how to interpret that mandate.

But Magubane notified unions by letter on Monday that most of the complex’s approximately 400 employees — which also include clerical, information technology, inspection and training staff — would be expected back at the office Tuesday. [The Wethersfield office is closed on Mondays.]

“While all employees are expected to come to work, if you are uncomfortable in the current environment, please complete a time-off request through your supervisor,” Magubane wrote Monday in a memo to staff. “If you are sick with any cough, sneeze or sniffle, please utilize your sick time and stay at home.”

Magubane’s Monday letter also set rules for “temporary telework” that could be performed if employees “have the ability and resources to complete required assignments at home” if they obtain their supervisors’ approval.

Union leaders said they were shocked and frustrated by the commissioner’s decision.

“The agency’s lack of regard for the health and safety of our dedicated DMV employees and the public we serve is beyond alarming,” said Patricia Davis, president of Local 318 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents clerical staff in Wethersfield. “Their inability to grasp the concept of a public health threat, and their defiance of the governor’s “stay home, stay safe” directive is inexcusable.”

Disette said while he appreciates the governor’s efforts to promote health and safety, Magubane went in the opposite direction. “It was the opposite of what every governor, every mayor, the entire world is trying to accomplish. It boggles the mind.”

“We are glad that the DMV is finally reacting appropriately to this crisis,” said Dave Glidden, executive director of CSEA-SEIU Local 2001, which represents about 30 information technology and other support staff at the Wethersfield office. “It is unfortunate that it took as long as it did, but we look forward to working with all agencies to respond to these types of circumstances when they arise.”

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Keith M. Phaneuf A winner of numerous journalism awards, Keith Phaneuf has been CT Mirror’s state finances reporter since it launched in 2010. The former State Capitol bureau chief for The Journal Inquirer of Manchester, Keith has spent most of 31 years as a reporter specializing in state government finances, analyzing such topics as income tax equity, waste in government and the complex funding systems behind Connecticut’s transportation and social services networks. A former contributing writer to The New York Times, Keith is a graduate of and a former journalism instructor at the University of Connecticut.

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Disability Rights CT files federal complaint over age-based vaccine rollout
by Kelan Lyons

The complaint alleges the state's age-based vaccine distribution plan discriminates against people with disabilities.

People with disabilities were next in line for COVID vaccine. Then the plan changed.
by Kelan Lyons

Younger people with chronic medical conditions feel left behind by the governor's new vaccine plan, which prioritizes by age.

Members of CT’s vaccine advisory group, surprised by Lamont’s new vaccine rollout plan, contemplate path forward
by Jenna Carlesso

The move by the governor stunned some members of the panel’s allocation subcommittee.

Lamont committed to his age-based standard on COVID vaccinations
by Mark Pazniokas

The governor said he was contemplating no exceptions. 

Three weeks into COVID-19 vaccinations, DOC has vaccinated 10% of inmates, 40% of staff
by Kelan Lyons

Fewer than 850 incarcerated people had been vaccinated as of Feb. 22.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion The historical basis of zoning begs for reform
by Lawrence Rizzolo

Discussions of race are fraught with emotion. Witness the zoning reforms being discussed in our legislature. I will attempt to advance a dispassionate argument that is based on government-sponsored racism that occurred during my lifetime and led to the structural problems that persist today.

Opinion Lamont must stop waffling on the Killingly power plant issue
by Tennyson Benedict

On January 19, Gov. Ned Lamont gave his bluntest comments yet regarding the controversial Killingly natural gas plant, saying, “I don’t want to build Killingly.”  Yet, Lamont still refuses to wield his executive authority to actually stop its construction, and instead offers vague suggestions that market forces will stop the plant’s construction.

Opinion Religious freedom is less than righteousness
by Spencer Hill

The CT Viewpoints opinion “Religious freedom is more than religion” shows just how entrenched is the sincerely held belief that one man’s notion of “freedom” dictates the liberty of others.

Opinion To boost economy, state should invest in the ‘last mile’ of broadband connectivity
by Thomas J. Peters, Ph.D

In his budget address on February 10,   Gov. Ned Lamont announced his intent to expand broadband connectivity in Connecticut, an effort to be lauded. Connecticut enjoys a significant competitive advantage for economic development in the Connecticut Education Network (CEN), “ a 2,500 route mile, all optical, high-performance internet network.”

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO