Norton Gets Answers from AOC on CVC Employee Grievances (11/01/2010)

Norton Gets Answers from AOC on CVC Employee Grievances

November 1, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC -- As the weather chills, the Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has been reassured that Capitol tour guides will not be out in the cold or heat without uniforms weather appropriate to the season, as they were previously. In a letter released today, Architect of the Capitol (AOC) Stephen Ayers responded to the Congresswoman's request to provide her with an update on Capitol Complex workplace safety concerns, particularly the uniforms for tour guides.

At a recent Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management hearing on Capitol complex safety violations, Norton, chair of the subcommittee, asked Ayers to provide information on current uniform and water consumption practices for Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) guides and visitor assistants, after employees complained that their uniforms were inappropriate for outdoor work in both summer and winter months, and of limitations on water consumption. The new CVC has become a major tourist attraction in the District, which is heavily dependent on revenues from visitors.

"The importance of Capitol guides to public safety in the Capitol, our city, and tourism alike would be hard to overestimate," said Norton. "We cannot expect these employees to give their best if they are denied the essentials to carry out their important mission. I appreciate that the AOC has used a careful state-of-the-art approach to remedying problems that includes reviewing employee comments and using industry standards."

Ayers' response to Norton outlined the specific improvements to employee uniforms and the water consumption policy, including:

• Waterproof, breathable, warmer 3-in-1 weather system coats for Visitor Assistants with a zip-out lining to provide all-season coverage;
• Rain/wind pants for Visitor Assistants to provide all-season coverage;
• In cooler temperatures, employees working outside may layer personal items under their coats and may wear gloves;
• During hot weather, Visitor Assistants may remove their vests while working outside and Visitor Guides may remove their blazers and ties while giving tours; and
• Visitor Services employees are allowed to carry beverage containers with them.

The Congresswoman said that CVC is making "measurable progress" in eliminating safety violations in the Capitol Complex and in the working conditions of CVC employees. She said the AOC's working relationship with the Office of Compliance (OOC), which found the violations, has been especially important. In July, Norton met with Ayers following a detailed report by the OOC, which cited an estimated 6,300 safety hazards in the Capitol complex, many of them potentially fatal.

Ayer's letter to Norton follows.

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Question for the Record

The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chair

Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

U.S. House of Representatives

The Congressional Workplace: Safety Concerns and Future Plans

September 30, 2010

The Subcommittee understands that changes to the guide uniform were made as part of the transition from Guide Service to opening of the Capitol Visitor Center. Please describe the process in re-designing the standard uniform, any improvements that have been made, and provide the current uniform and water guidelines for Guides and Visitor Assistants.

After the transition of the U.S. Capitol Guide Service to the Architect of the Capitol, all employees were outfitted with uniform pieces that had been selected in summer 2008. During distribution, it was determined that the current uniforms did not meet the needs of employees nor the standards appropriate for the U.S. Capitol. In October 2009, we began working with employees to develop a new set of uniform specifications.

We solicited employee comments and received their comments and then compiled these comments, conducted additional research on industry standards and drafted a five-page document detailing the uniform specifications. A formal employee committee was then formed to review the specifications and provide additional comments. This committee was made up of the Employee Advisory Committee members and employees who had assisted with ~uniform distribution.

As a result of the market research, which included the specifications reviewed by the committee, a new uniform provider was selected in March 2010. The company is a small disadvantaged business on the GSA schedule. The contactor was provided the specifications document and used it to successfully create samples for approval.

Some specific improvements made to the uniforms include:

• Web-based order-tracking with individual access for each employee;
• Waterproof, breathable, warmer 3-in-1 weather system coats for Visitor Assistants; Zip-out lining to provide all-season coverage;
• Rain/wind pants for Visitor Assistants to provide all-season coverage;
• Shirts embroidered with the Visitor Services logo to allow for identification when vests or blazers are removed;
• All items are machine-washable, wrinkle-resistant, with some stretch for comfort;
• Higher quality fabrics, including the linings;
• New items to be ordered for every employee to provide foundation uniform wardrobe; and
• Alignment with AOC policy to ensure consistency among jurisdictions.

To ensure a consistent, professional look among all Visitor Services employees, the Uniform Policy requires employees to wear AOC-issued or supervisor-approved white shirts, black pants, black skirts, black v-neck sweaters (Visitor Guides), and red cardigan sweaters (Visitor Assistants). Employees must wear AOC-issued red blazers (Visitor Guides), red vests (Visitor Assistants), and red 3-in-1 weather system coats (Visitor Assistants). Employees are expected to wear solid black shoes, belts, and socks. Umbrellas are available for employees and visitors. Employees working outside may also layer personal items under their coats, according to their personal preference, and may wear their personal gloves. Ball caps and cold-weather headcoverings are being distributed to Visitor Assistants. During hot weather, Visitor Assistants may remove their vests while working outside and Visitor Guides may remove their blazers and ties while giving dome tours.

Filtered water is available at all water fountains within the CVC and expansion spaces as well as in the employee break room. There is also a fountain near the break room that is outfitted with a water bottle filling station. If an employee must step away from his or her assigned post for any reason, including filling a water bottle, the employee must contact a supervisor so that the post can be covered by another employee or the supervisor. Employees are not required to identify the reason for the need to step away, but they are expected to return as quickly as possible. With regard to the water policy, Visitor Services employees are allowed to carry beverage containers with them. To maintain an appropriate level of decorum for a customer service role, employees working inside the CVC or giving tours in the Capitol are expected to refrain from drinking in front of visitors within the public spaces to the extent they can. While outside, employees must continue to maintain the level of decorum and are asked to drink discreetly while they maintain appropriate hydration levels.