Unions and administration clash over home interviews, subpoenas and device access in OIG investigations

Atlanta — City employees’ rights, subpoena rules and the OIG’s access to devices and records drew sustained attention at the Jan. 29 joint council work session.

Several union leaders and workers told the council they have been denied representation during investigations and that OIG investigators have, in at least one instance, appeared at employees’ homes without prior notice. Crystal Jeffrey, secretary‑treasurer of AFSCME Georgia, said: “This is a direct violation of the city charter, and it must be corrected immediately.”

Why it matters: The substitute charter language aims to define procedures for investigations, including whether interviews are voluntary or compelled, whether targets must be told their status (witness or subject), and how subpoenas and device access should be handled. Those details affect employee due…