By MIKE LEE

Public workers have the right to follow correct procedure in the course of their duties, even when a supervisor demands otherwise.

This was the scenario faced by Roderick Holder, Traffic Enforcement Agent 3 and Local 983 member, when he refused to tow a car parked in a space marked by an unofficial “No Parking” sign on June 12, 2022.

Holder was then punished for sticking to the rules.

The New York City Police Department suspended Holder for 30 days after a hearing, causing him to lose pay and health benefits for failing to comply with a supervisor’s direct order.

However, as Local 983 First Vice President Marvin Robbins pointed out, this was not a lawful order because the parking sign was not an official NYC Department of Transportation sign.

“Official signs are clearly marked from DOT. This was a fake sign attached to a tree, and a supervisor ordered Holder to tow the car anyway. That’s not  a legal request, but our member didn’t comply, so he was suspended,” Robbins said.

Local 983 appealed the ruling and demanded the member be reinstated.

“The case went to the advocate’s office,” Robbins said. “I sent them all the documents from the DOT stating this was not their sign. They didn’t even know it was posted.”

After reviewing the information, the case was dismissed and Holder was returned to his position.

“As public servants, we are expected to follow the law,” said Local 983 President Joe Puleo. “A fraudulent sign by a private party is no reason to tow a car, and management knows better. We are glad the NYPD did the right thing.”

In October 2024, Holder received his back pay, including retroactive from a recently settled contract.

“Our message is clear: As long as a member’s actions are correct, we support them 100%,” Robbins said. “The member was right, and I’m proud of him for standing on principle. When you know your job, no one can tell you anything different. They can’t tell you to do something when you’re familiar with the rules and regulations for your job.”