Susie Gaines Mitchell Issues
- UPE
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
On May 19, 2026, UPE met again with DHA regarding ongoing issues at Susie Gaines Mitchell (SGM). UPE again brought up the lack of interview space. The Department stated that they recently added another CSR interview room. The Department also made clear that no interview rooms are assigned to individuals, with very few exceptions. UPE requested that the Department place reserved signs on the doors of reserved rooms to avoid confusion among staff. Nearly all rooms are assigned based on function and can be used by anyone within that function.
UPE also proposed that they designate certain intake time slots for face-to-face to allow staff to better prepare for their days. The Department seemed open to this idea but needed time to think about it. We proposed improved air flow and filtration in the interview loops, and the Department committed to working with General Services on an airflow analysis. Likewise, the Department is looking into the logistics and costs of adding one copier to each interview loop.
We questioned the Department about the status of alternative work schedules. The Department said it is conducting a department-wide review, beginning with an evaluation of schedule use across functions. While they expressed a commitment to expanding alternative schedule options, they did not make any commitments at this time.
We, UPE, addressed the increased scheduling of clerical staff at both the windows and the information desk. The Department stated that this is not their normal procedure and was necessitated by the loss of 7 office assistants recently. The Department is hiring 9 new OAs and two HSAs, and anticipates that this will make it easier to avoid scheduling staff in the lobby and windows on the same day.
We will follow up with the Department for responses and update staff. Please reach out to UPE if you have any questions or concerns.
UPE thanks Olivia Brown, Nichole Gorman, Tony Derego, Stephanie McCall, Debbie Tellez, and Jennifer Avalo for their representation and advocacy during the meeting.