CHENANGO COUNTY – According to a county investigation a coordinated work stoppage by Chenango County Department of Public Works employees during a November 2024 snowstorm compounded the weather’s effects, leaving residents stranded and roads impassable.
According to a new report released by the Chenango County Board of Supervisors, nearly a dozen DPW employees participated in the strike, which investigators classified as illegal under New York’s Taylor Law.
Penalties for participants include suspensions ranging from 7 to 20 days and payroll deductions, while others face further consequences, including possible termination. Employees have the option to appeal the determinations.
The county launched an internal investigation in the wake of a November 21-23 storm, which brought 8 to12 inches of snow, causing widespread power outages and road hazards.
Officials reported emergency calls to DPW employees to manage snow removal were met with limited responses, including from the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office’s 911 Dispatch Center, who was seeking aid on behalf of first responders before midnight on Thursday, November 21.
Despite having a call list and procedures in place for such events, it took an hour for an emergency plow truck to be dispatched.
Overnight, despite calls to all available drivers, the report said only four able drivers and one ride-along trainee, out of a pool of 21 possible operators, showed up until about 7 a.m.
The following morning on Friday, November 22, as school officials debated delays and closures, county officials were forced to warn them of the limited response, exacerbating already hazardous conditions, and contributing to unavoidable school closings.
Thousands of residents were left without power countywide due to the storm, and the report also said NYSEG’s response for repairs was slowed by poor road conditions.
The Evening Sun reached out to officials on the morning of the closures, but officials did not respond to messages, hung up and never returned calls. Social media activity and local business reports indicated public concern over unplowed roads.
The county launched an internal investigation in the wake of the November storm conducted by the Chenango County Personnel Department and Chenango County Attorney.
According to the report, the strike coincided with a powerful storm that brought heavy, wet snow, knocking out power to more than 5,700 homes and businesses. Major roads in Coventry, Plymouth, Greene, and Norwich were left unplowed, leaving residents with bad travel conditions. The National Weather Service had issued warnings ahead of the storm, but snow removal efforts were stalled when workers failed to report for duty.
“This deliberate and unlawful action endangered lives and public safety,” said Jeffrey Blanchard, chairman of the Chenango County Board of Supervisors, in the report. “The failure of these employees to fulfill their responsibilities during an emergency was unacceptable, and we are taking every necessary step to ensure accountability.”
Tensions and Planning Before Strike
According to the report the events leading up to the work stoppage began with discontent over a tentative agreement between Chenango County and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), signed on November 18.
The agreement, presented to union membership at the Department of Public Works (DPW), quickly drew criticism. Several employees expressed dissatisfaction, with many voicing their disapproval to CSEA negotiator and Road Maintenance Supervisor Patrick Collins. Interviews revealed that some employees felt insulted by the terms of the agreement, particularly the proposed pay increase schedule, which became the primary source of frustration.
The report stated that on Wednesday, November 20, tensions escalated further when DPW staff requested that DPW Director Harold Franklin leave early, allowing employees to discuss the contract.
The report said members deliberated ways to express their dissatisfaction. At a meeting in the DPW garage, during which the conversation shifted to the impending storm, the report stated that Road Maintenance Supervisor Pat Collins told employees that the CSEA contract and departmental policies did not obligate them to answer calls or report to duty when contacted. Collins then asked employees to indicate, by show of hands, who would answer their phone if called early on November 22. No one raised their hand.
According to multiple interviews, Collins and timekeeper Dawn Ackerman led most of the discussion during the meeting.
Eric Graham, another DPW foreman, was present but contributed little to the conversation.
When asked why the on-call road supervisor should attempt to call employees if no one planned to answer, the general response was that the foreman “needed to do their job.”
Despite many employees denying involvement, investigators said interviews confirmed that at least two workers who denied being present had, in fact, stood near witnesses during the discussion. Others admitted awareness of the meeting but claimed they were working outside the building or in another part of the garage. Notably, several individuals, including two road maintenance supervisors, knew about the plan to ignore phone calls on November 22 but failed to inform Director Franklin of the potential disruption.
The report blamed this deliberate inaction and lack of communication for setting the stage for a chaotic work stoppage during the early hours of the storm.
Disciplinary actions and fallout
Among the 11 employees disciplined, Patrick Collins, a road maintenance supervisor, played a central role in instigating the strike. The report claimed Collins encouraged others to refuse answering emergency calls and told them they were not obligated to do so. He has been suspended and faces additional disciplinary measures, including possible termination.
The report stated Heavy Motor Equipment Operator Gary Clark was one of the first to advocate for the work stoppage and told investigators he would do it again. Investigators also said he admitted his role and expressed frustration with ongoing labor negotiations. He was placed on administrative leave without pay and faces possible termination.
Eric Graham, a road maintenance supervisor and foreman, held authority over individuals involved in the strike but faced significant challenges during the November 20 meeting and subsequent storm response. According to the report, Graham was present at the meeting where plans to ignore emergency calls were discussed but contributed very little to the conversation.
Having only been in his supervisory role for four months this was his first winter storm. Graham found himself in a difficult position, balancing his responsibilities while attempting to manage employees who had previously been his peers. He reported for work during the storm but later admitted that he should have informed the DPW Director of the issue. During the investigation he expressed a commitment to ensuring such a situation never occurs again. Graham was ultimately suspended for seven days and subjected to a payroll deduction in accordance with county policies.
Dawn Ackerman, a DPW timekeeper, was found to have delayed reporting absenteeism among workers, hindering the county’s ability to respond during the storm. She was given a 30 day suspension and a payroll deduction.
The remaining participants were primarily motor equipment operators with commercial licenses are facing payroll deductions.
In response to the strike, the county plans to revise emergency response protocols and implement stricter accountability measures for DPW employees. Negotiations with the CSEA are ongoing, with the next session scheduled later this month.
“This cannot happen again,” Blanchard said in the report, adding that public safety must take precedence over labor disputes.
Residents have expressed anger over the strike, citing a lack of trust in the county’s ability to respond to emergencies.
“We depend on these workers to keep our roads safe,” said one resident in the report, who added “To find out they refused to work during a storm makes it hard to trust the system.”

To read the full report find it here: www.evesun.com/special/sections

(This article was edited to correct an error. The original version incorrectly identified Eric Graham as a Heavy Motor Equipment Operator who did not show up for work. Graham is a road maintenance supervisor/foreman and he did show up for work.)