August 6, 1999
TO:Toronto Community Services Committee
FROM:Norman Gardner, Chairman
Toronto Police Services Board
SUBJECT:COST OF CUSTODIAL AND MAINTENANCE STAFF ABSENTEEISM TO THE
TORONTO POLICE SERVICE
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the following report be received for information.
Council Reference/Background History:
At its meeting on July 22, 1999, the Toronto Police Services Board was in receipt of the following report JUNE 18, 1999
from David J. Boothby, Chief of Police:
"SUBJECT:COST OF CUSTODIAL AND MAINTENANCE STAFF ABSENTEEISM TO THE TORONTO
POLICE SERVICE
RECOMMENDATION:THAT the Board receive the following report for information purposes.
THAT the report be forwarded to the Community Services Committee.
The Emergency & Protective Services Committee, at its meeting of March 23, 1999 referred the matter of the contracting
out of Police custodial and maintenance services to the Corporate Services Committee. The Corporate Services Committee,
at its meeting of April 22, 1999: "(1) endorsed the recommendations embodied in the report from the Chairman, Toronto
Police Services Board, and in so doing, requested the Chief Administrative Officer, City of Toronto, to explore the
feasibility of contracting out custodial and maintenance services for all police facilities in the context of short and
long-term cost-savings and forwarded the aforementioned to the Chief Administrative Officer for consideration; and (2)
requested the Toronto Police Services Board to work with the Unions involved to determine how much time is being lost
in absenteeism and what will be done to correct this."
In response to recommendation No.2; the Police Service currently contracts with City Corporate Services for the provision
of custodial and maintenance services. Therefore, as the custodial and maintenance staff are not employees of the Police
Service, it would be more appropriate for City Corporate Services to work with the Unions to resolve the issue of
absenteeism. Police Service and City Corporate Services staff do work together to resolve service delivery issues on an
ongoing basis.
The Board should be aware that in 1998 absenteeism amongst the custodial and maintenance staff cost the Police Service
$236,000. This total was provided by City Corporate Services. City Corporate Services advises that the cost of absenteeism
for the past three years has remained fairly constant. However, due to the reduction in staff the cost of absenteeism per
employee has risen from $1,952 in 1996 to $2,538 in 1998. City Corporate Services also advises that the rate of
absenteeism being experienced by the Police Service is consistent with other City departments receiving custodial and
maintenance services
Mr. Angelo Cristofaro, A/Director Finance and Administration (local 8-7877) and Mr. Michael Ellis, Manager Facilities
Management (local 8-7951) will be in attendance to answer any questions the Board may have."
Conclusions:
The Board received the foregoing.
Contact Names and Telephone Numbers:
Angelo Cristofaro, Acting Director, Finance & Administration, telephone no. 808-7877 or Michael Ellis, Manager,
Facilities Management, telephone no. 808-7951.
Respectfully submitted,
Norman Gardner
Chairman
A:\costs.doc
