Case 52
Company: Multi Clean Inc. Division of Hako Minutemen, Inc., Shoreview, Minnesota
Union: International Association of Machine and Aerospace Workers
- The company manufactured and distributed chemical cleaning and coating products for use with cleaning commercial floors, carpets, and other surfaces
- In 1984, Hako, Minuteman Inc. acquired The Multi Clean Division from the H.B Fuller Company.
- The grievant in this case, Roger Robek, was originally employed by H.B. Fuller on March 18, 1964 and was retained after the 1984 acquisition.
- At the time of his grievance in 1992, he held the position of leadman in the Chemical Processing Department, which was also a bargaining unit position.
- Over the years, Robek had incurred certain back injuries at work with the most serious occurring in 1987 from a fall off the roof of the plant that left him with a 10.5 percent permanent physical disability.
- Despite this injury, he continued to work in the plant in the position of leadman on a full time basis.
- On Feb 26, 1992, Robek aggravated his back while cleaning a chemical spill.
- After finishing, he came back to the plant and while walking up the steps to enter the plant his back gave out and he eventually fell to his knees.
- He proceeded to report the incident to the company Operations Manager at 9:30 Am and finished his shift
- He returned to work the next day and complained of severe back pain and was directed to seek medical attention
- He was receiving Workers Compensation and attending physical therapy 2 times a week until April 6, when he was referred to a specialist.
- The specialist diagnosed Robek with a degenerative disk, prescribed appropriate medical treatment, released him to work with ...