Probe Into Storm Slowdown Widens, to Include Emails, Texts and Voicemails

Sanitation workers have been told to save every voice mail, text or email about last week’s blizzard – even on personal phones and computers.

As investigators probe rumors some workers staged a plowing slowdown to protest budget cuts, city lawyers fired off orders to workers to comply with demands from the Department of Investigation.

A copy obtained by the Daily News shows that DOI wants “all employees who have had a role with the response” to the storm to hang on to every piece of paper or instant message from friends, bosses – even their unions.

Some workers grumbled the order was another blow to morale.

“Honestly, the guys are insulted,” said one veteran supervisor. “They have been working night and day, 13-hour days. They are away from their families. People on the street are giving them the finger and yelling at them…. Now we have people coming in taking books, taking paperwork and looking to put the blame on the san man.”

City investigators also want to know how many miles of roads were plowed and how much salt was spread – along with details on where equipment was during the cleanup, including GPS data.

After claiming last week no trucks had GPS, the city said yesterday that 40 trucks and 10 supervisor vehicles have the devices.

DOI – which is running one of four separate probes into the storm response – also asked for “attendance records, issues related to equipment and personnel, and specific anecdotes from the public.”

Sanitation union President Harry Nespoli said investigators have been showing up at garages to grill workers. The union is offering lawyers to members but most are talking freely, he said.

“We have nothing to hide,” he said. “Somebody has to find out who is putting all these rumors out there and treating us like criminals.”