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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Friday, June 12, 2015

Union Contracts Approved by NorCo Workforce

Two union contracts guaranteeing members a 14% wage hike over the next three years have been approved in a membership vote on Wednesday. Some say the vote was unanimous. The contracts will be voted on by NorCo Council at their June 18 meeting.

Will this improve morale? From what I hear, I'd say No. Employees lost a lot of respect for brown when he unilaterally reduced health benefits. What really did him in with workers is the lengthy list of vacancies that he allowed to pile up in order to save money. Then came news of pay increases to some individuals without Council approval.

Updated 8:45 am: An anonymous comment indicates that there are actually five contracts in the mix.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

pitiful cry babies. It's a wonder they didn't demand more

Anonymous said...

No one is twisting your arms. Leave if you are unhappy. of course most of you are unemployable in the private sector.

Anonymous said...

What about the rest of us!!!! There are still hardworking employees left out! Is Cathy Allen still getting 19%? Not only did he reduce our salary by making us pay more, he also reduced it by raising property taxes like everyone else. Take the raises he gave out illegally and give it to the rest that did not.

Anonymous said...

The person posting at 2am has serious issues. Hopefully she gets to go to prison today and Bernie gets a new toy in a Rav4

Anonymous said...

The county complains about Union contracts and the cost they represent and yet they are constantly given these Unions more then non union personel. Yet, those career service people ( Non Union ) are never treated fairly. Before you know it, the budget will be balanced on strictly the back of Career service employees. Who represents them? County Council?? I doubt that. County Excutive? yeah right ! Why are they awarded or even treated equally for not joining a union? Sad !

Anonymous said...

5:40,
cry me a river

Anonymous said...

Actually it's 5 contracts that are being approved.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I was unaware five bargaining units are impacted.

Anonymous said...

Yes 5 total. Heard someone signed a "me too agreement" and now they are doing 4 or 5 contracts together. Look into it Mr O'Hare see if I got the right info from my co workers

Anonymous said...

@7:52.......do you mean the same career service employees who got a RAISE as Executive Stoffa was leaving office and Executive Brown was taking office and most of the union employees were working without a contract??? The career service employees were very quick to gloat about Mr. Stoffa's gift as he was hitting the door while the unions were forced to work without a contract. Numerous career service employees left union jobs to take those career service jobs so now you must deal with the consequences. Just a word of advice from a county government worker with over 2 decades of service.........never flee the protection of a union especially when good benefits and a fair wage are of utmost importance.

Anonymous said...

7:52- Where were you when the union was fighting the executive and county council over the health insurance issue? Most of the career service employees stayed home out of fear or just because you didn't want to get your hands dirty. It's time you children grow some balls instead of sucking your thumbs! Stand up for yourselves or continue to be gutless, your choice!

Bernie O'Hare said...

When you squabble among yourselves, Cathy Allen and John Brown smile.

Anonymous said...

12:41 and 7:52. What world are you living in? When the contracts were settled you got back pay. And I was at every council meeting and many of us spoke up. I for one, would be glad to have a union. Bernie is correct, ALL workers should be sticking together. Just because you didn't get the John Brown plan this time, doesn't mean it is coming to you down the line. COUNTY WORKERS NEED TO STICK TOGETHER.

Anonymous said...

BO-Believe me John and Cathy arent smiling because they just got their asses handed to them by five unions with more arbitration rulings on the way. We career service people are more motivated than ever to explore our options when it comes to unionizing.

Anonymous said...

1:33- The question is what world are you living in? Back pay wasnt awarded for 2014 or the first half of 2015 and we've had the delightful Brown/Allen healthcare plan since its inception in 2014. I would start exploring your options concerning unionizing or enjoy getting trampled by this administration until 2018.

Anonymous said...

Oh my. Being a senior career service employee it saddens me to read the negative comments between a couple of union employees and career service employees. I for one am glad for the people I supervise and want the best for them and know other career service feel the same as union employees want the same for us. Gosh, we see more of our co-workers than our own families. Be supportive to one another.

Anonymous said...

The time has now come that supervisors will make less money than the staff they are responsible for. Very sad.