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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Bethlehem Tp Comm'rs Deadlock on Improved PTO Plan For NonUnion Staff

Michael Hudak opposes PTO increase
Bethlehem Township Commissioners deadlocked at their February 16 meeting on changes to their PTO (paid time off) plan for their 17 non-union workers. Tom Nolan and Phil Barnard favored a slight adjustment upward, to bring staff in line with the unions. But Mike Hudak and Marty Zaworski were opposed. Pat Breslin was absent, and Commissioners vowed to explore the policy again at the next meeting. But it's unlikely that Breslin, a conservative who voted against the Budget over minor pay raises, will agree to any increase in benefits.

Former Commissioner Paul Weiss questioned the Board about the policy change, noting that it was just voted on in December 2013, after hours of consultation with staff and labor lawyers. He indicated that an increase was unfair to the people sitting in that room.

Those people, for the most part, were some of the 17 non-union employees who would like to see an increase.

"I took a pay cut to come here for the benefits," noted one worker after the vote. He stated that, under the plan as increased, only one employee with 40 years of seniority would be entitled to 39 days off a year.

Barnard advocated for the increase, noting that the Township had no Manager when the current plan was adopted in 2013. He felt it was important to revisit the issue after getting the perspective of Manager Melissa Shafer. Nolan added, "Parity is important. Non union workers should not be too far out of sync."

But Hudak had a completely different view. "To bring any non-union employee in parity with the union is just unheard of," he argued. "They might as well all be union."

That might happen. One person said after last night's meeting that code inspectors may unionize.
Solicitor Wndy Nicolosi invokes pottery barn rule
concerning culvert in no man's land.
"The taxpayers bear the burden of this cost," Hudak noted, though he did say he had a compromise solution. That compromise was never explored.

Zaworski sided with Hudak, He stated that, according to his research, the PTO plan for nonunion employees is 20% higher than the national average.

In other business, Commissioners pondered whether to get involved in the repair of a collapsed culvert across the street from the Keystone Pub parking lot on Easton Avenue. Tough that is a state highway, PennDOT insists it does not own the culvert. Nor does the Township. Shafer referred to it as being in "no man's land."

The first and perhaps most important question is whether to do anything at all. "Once you undertake repairs, it is the Township's responsibility," advised Solicitor Wendy Nicolosi. But she added that if there were an accident at the site, it would come as no surprise to her if the Township and PennDOT were sued.

"I'm leery to even touch it," worried Hudak. "PennDOT's just sitting on their hands, not willing to do a damn thing about it."

Shafer told Hudak that PennDOT has offered to provide stones and piping for repairs, and would waive the required highway occupancy permit. This would reduce the Township's cost to less than $10,000, she predicted.

"I would only want to go out there and fix it once," cautioned Zaworski.

Commissioners took no action

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bernie: It would behoove you to look into the proposed union contracts. Contract signing bonuses, buyback, and raises. It's not the Nonunion staff costing the taxpayers more out their pockets.

Anonymous said...

PennDOT is luring Bethlehem Township and the Township is "taking the bait". Once the Township starts any work or agrees to anything, it is now fully liable and PennDOT wins. That culvert is the State's responsibility. Let state tax dollars repair and be liable for that problem, not the Township. Hudak and Zawanski are right.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of PTO...very typical of a strong Union man (Hudak) and a right winger (Zawarski) to attack management. Hudak -- laborer all his life and Zawarski an executive in charge know it all boss man. Strange bedfellows on this one but it figures. It is funny how these Board's lash out at the people who are charged with running the place on their behalf and then cow tow to the unions in Contract Negotiations because their hands are tied by law. Picking the low hanging fruit is much easier I guess.

Anonymous said...

@7:00,
I think you are somewhat correct. Shouldn't this area fall within PennDOT's right of way, since it abuts the street? If so, why wouldn't it be their responsibility?

Anonymous said...

Why don't they enlist the help of the state representatives? Nothing better than having one or more of them contacting PennDOT and asking questions.

Lighthouse said...

1. Back in the early 2000s there was a similar culvert issue on the other side of the street between the Pub and Butztown Road. Same scenario as well, the Twp and PennDOT both said it was the other's responsibility, or even the homeowners'. Different result, however: Twp BOC/Manager pushed, and then Solicitor Tom Elliott was able to convince PennDOT to make the repairs. God forbid someone dies, or is seriously injured. I say this in no criticism of the current BOC/Manager, only to point out that there is precedent for PennDOT to fix it.

2. There are legitimate reasons to miss a rare meeting. But it seems like we frequently read that Breslin is not in attendance. Out of curiosity, how many meetings has he missed since he's been on? Ironic for how close he supposedly lives (or lived) to the building. He might make McC look like a "work horse"?!

3. PTO: I don't know the specifics, so keep comments general. However, many of the non-union folks often find themselves working some non-traditional hours beyond the work day for meetings, etc., some wear a couple different hats, and several bring a tremendous amount of "institutional knowledge" to the place.

Lighthouse said...

7:56, you would be shocked how little influence your state Reps and Senator have with PennDOT.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I'm not bc our statte reps are, for the most part, useless. They're nice guys who do nothing and vote the way their bosses tell them to vote. If any one of them actually led, PennDOT might listen to them. But who listens to wimps?

Bernie O'Hare said...

7:03, Obviously, Commrs should grant a PTO increase. I don't know why Paul Weiss was so worked up about it, yet couldn't be bothered to stay for the discussion and vote. My concern is the damaging impact such a snub has on morale. f comm're really want to save money, they should vie for a happy work force.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Breslin missed three full meetings in 2014. I do not know what his attendance at budget hearings was, but plan to track it this year. I do know he missed an important meeting.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"PennDOT is luring Bethlehem Township and the Township is "taking the bait". "

You may very well be right. On the other hand, how would you feel if someone died after driving into that culvert bc you were too cheap to take responsibility? PennDOT are jerks. State reps are wimps.It will be up to municipal leaders, as usual, to do the right thing while Mike Schlossberg sells his book and has a blogging boot camp.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"It would behoove you to look into the proposed union contracts."

I can't do that until they are approved.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Breslin's attendance record speaks for itself. He has not impressed me. He seems to be very inexperienced when it comes to local government. But, we all know who butters his bread.

Anonymous said...

Since when does Paul Weiss worry about tax payer money? I believe he supported and voted to give out $832,000 to the street light scammers but then again maybe that is why he is not commissioner anymore!

Anonymous said...

Bernie,
Wait until the contracts are approved, then do a comparison of the union vs non union benefits. Then you see how much Mike Hudak cares about tax payer money. You will be shocked to see the signing bonuses & vacation day buybacks the unions will receive. See how he defends that one!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Well, that is certainly not Paul's fault. He was a very good Comm'r. But having raised a question about PTO, he should have stuck around for the answer.

Anonymous said...

Non-union public employees are probably the most knowledgeable and employable people on those staffs. They can find work elsewhere and it would behoove the leadership to retain quality people.

Anonymous said...

Wake up PA you are bringing this on yourself and people will leave

"Pennsylvania, in the heart of the rust belt, is a heavily unionized and high-tax state with a personal income tax, which is prohibited by the Florida Constitution. That makes it an inviting target for Scott"

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/bousquet-gov-rick-scott-gives-pennsylvania-the-cold-shoulder/2217903

Anonymous said...

Barnards an ass and clueless. Of course they had a manager. and besides does he need a manager to tell him what to think. I thought making policy was his job. I want to work for him. that way i can tell him what to pay me and how many days i want off. this guy is clearly not qualified to hold this position.

Anonymous said...

10:45
If they are so mistreated then I guess they are free to leave and work elsewhere. Maybe i'll be putting in my application.

Anonymous said...

Commissioner Hudak is on the record as saying that if any employee does not like it quit. That has been his position for years. He further claims that there will be people lined up to take any Township job no matter the position. So any Township employee that does not like what is being proposed.. I suggest you start to seek another job where you are valued and wanted. Your last Manager left for a reason after many, many years of perfecting his craft on the Township taxpayer's nickle. Think of the experience, training and education you all paid for including conferences all over the country and you let him quit. Lots of luck with your people like Zawarski and Hudak that do not value the Township management employees.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Norco's managements benefits. Way below those in the union. Easy pickings.

Anonymous said...

If they are so mistreated then I guess they are free to leave and work elsewhere. Maybe i'll be putting in my application.

No shit, Sherlock. That's what I just said and what you replied to by saying the same thing. If you have the skills, go for it. I suspect you don't.

Anonymous said...

And just how are you entitled to information not made public as of yet? Are you an insider perhaps, leaking confidential information??