At issue is a dispute over a negotiated union (PSSU) contract. The bargaining unit went eight years without a contract because workers wanted to stay in the old health plan. The negotiated contract they overwhelmingly approved increase their pay by 6.25% over three years. It consisted of a step increase in he first year, followed by two percent raises in years two and three.
The disagreement centers on that step increase. Because of the civil service wage scales, steps are only 2.25% instead of the 4 1/2% in the rest of the County. To make up for that discrepancy, they wee paid an extra 1.75% cash bonus in the first year. Union stewards believe this 1.7% increase is recurring. Executive Lamont McClure insists it was a one-time payment designed to get these workers to 8% in total wage hikes like the other unions. Otherwise, Northampton County taxpayers would be penalized over PSSU's refusal to negotiate a contract for eight years.
This dispute is currently in arbitration, but the stewards took their case to Council. As President Ron Heckman observed, "We don't really get into negotiation. We gotta' be careful what questions we ask."
This is because when Council injects itself into a contract dispute, it can and has in the past ended upon the wrong side of an unfair labor practice accusation. ButHeckman allowed everyone to speak, andeven extended the time of two speakers.
Are caseworkers paid more in Lehigh?
Mike Koscia was the leadoff hitter. He has worked for 18 years with the County, both as a youth care worker. and as a casewoker for CYF (Children, Youth and Families). He said he was speaking "under fear of possible reprisal." He insists that a negotiated 1.75% wage increase has been withheld. "We do not seek gladitorial combat but will not stand as a fool in a King's Court," he said to applause.
Keeze Johnson, a caseworker in CYF for the past 11 yrs, is the chief shop steward.. She noted a major discrepancy between what is paid to caseworker 2s and 3s in Northampton and Lehigh County.
Caseworker 2
$44,000 in Lehigh
$40,000 in NorCo
Caseworker 3
$56,000 in Lehigh
$44,000 in NorCo.
She said in 11 years, her pay has increased just 42 cents per hour, and she is forced to work three additional jobs with the county to make ends meet.
According to county sources, NorCo's caseworker 2s start at about $40,255. Lehigh pays a lot more at $47,000, but the caseworkers there pay more for benefits. In other countues, the pay is lower. Monroe starts at 36,058.04. Erie starts at $34,860. Delaware is $37,322. York is $35,422. According to Glassdoor, the average for a caseworker 2 is in pa is $37,835 or 8% higher than the national average.
Is CYF understaffed?
Johnson also mentioned a staff that is overwhelmed and understaffed. She noted there were over 2,000 referrals in 2018. This year, there are nearly 6,000. "Who is supposed to handle all these cases? she asked. "Us? When there's 15 vacancies? As we speak, caseworkers are walking out the door." she claimed.
Caseworker vacancies in CYF was a major campaign issue when McClure ran for Exec. He is trying to solve the problem by getting out of state civil service so the county can hire on its own, but that process is time-consuming.
Gracedale Administrator's 9.2% Raise a "Slap Across the Face"
Both Johnson and Miguwl Santiago, a third steward, also complained about a 9.2% payraise for Gracedale's administrator and McClure's decision to hand out "steps like it's Christmas candy" to some cabinet members. He said it was hypocritical for McClure to argue that Gracedale's administrator is underpaid in comparison to other nursing home administrators when caseworkers are also underpaid.
"We need your help. We need your support. We are worth it What are you gonna' do?" Johnson asked Heckman.
Other than listen, there's nothing he or Council can do because their dispute is in arbitration. Clearly, caseworker perform an invaluable service for our most vulnerable. I hope they can resolve their issue with the county.
Totally tasteless photo. If you think it is amusing, you are a sick man.
ReplyDeleteApparently you want to make the caseworkers look bad. It is unfortunate that is the game Mr. McClure wants to play. We have the right to speak at a public meeting. Do you believe like the administration we have no constitutional rights? Are you sating council should not allow people to speak?
ReplyDeleteso...they want more money.
ReplyDeletethey're in a union, with a recently negotiated collective bargaining agreement.
that's pretty much the end of it.
don't really matter what other county's pay their employees, and it doesn't matter what bonuses the Exec pays non-union employees.
5:44 is absolutely right, and no 5:55 Your the asshole
ReplyDeleteOne term McClueless! Can't wait for him and his corruption to be gone.
ReplyDelete"Totally tasteless photo. If you think it is amusing, you are a sick man."
ReplyDeleteI think it is amusing.
"Apparently you want to make the caseworkers look bad. It is unfortunate that is the game Mr. McClure wants to play. We have the right to speak at a public meeting. Do you believe like the administration we have no constitutional rights? Are you sating council should not allow people to speak?"
ReplyDeleteI have written nothing that makes caseworkers look bad, nor is that my desire. I at no time said they have no right to speak, quoted all three of the workers who did, and tried to summarize what they said. I do know Council was in a bad spot bc the issue appears to be the interpretation of a contract provision. Council could get hit with an unfair labor practice if it started to weigh in. I also attempted to summarize the county's position.
Not having seen the actual contract, I am in no position to weigh in either way. That is the arbitrator's job.
The unions in Northampton County have repeatedly screwed their workforce yet the workforce keep these useless unions and pay their dues automatically to people whose jobs depend on bringing in union dollars and not keeping members happy. Throw out your union and get a different union. Union members pay more for their medical benefits now than ever before. Union members make less now in comparison to other workers than ever before. McClure and company are screwing workers now more than ever before and yet your union leadership thinks he is on their side. You say Council can't do anything to help. Yes they can. They can do their job and hire an outside company to come in and do a wage study and comparison study of all the jobs in Northampton County. They can also take into account benefits as part of the formula. It is long over due. County Council should do their job.
ReplyDeleteIf they'd just show up at a few cocktail parties and stroke a few campaign checks, they'd get 9.2% too. They've been around too long to act like such rookies.
ReplyDeleteYes they can. They can do their job and hire an outside company to come in and do a wage study and comparison study of all the jobs in Northampton County. They can also take into account benefits as part of the formula. It is long over due. County Council should do their job.
ReplyDelete@815 you have not a clue how Home Rule government works, do you? Just admit it already instead of making false claims
"You say Council can't do anything to help. Yes they can. They can do their job and hire an outside company to come in and do a wage study and comparison study of all the jobs in Northampton County. They can also take into account benefits as part of the formula. It is long over due. County Council should do their job."
ReplyDeleteCounty Council is the branch of government with the residual power and yes, they can do a lot. But they have to be careful dealing with a labor issue bc they could get slapped with an unfair labor practice. I have seen it happen. As far a wage study, they could call on the Exec to seek RFPs for a study, and appropriate the $ for one. I support this myself. But I have seen wage studies, too. They are like a reassessment. Some people will be happy, some will stay te same and some will be very upset. I nevertheless support it bc it would be fair, just as I support reassessment.
No one asked Council about a job study Thursday night. They instead dove into the disputed provision of a union contract. They also complained abut staff shortages, which is a real concern. Council and McClure have been working to address that concern. It was even a campaign issue. They are in the process of eliminating the requirement to hire caseworkers via state civil service, as other counties have done. This will make it easier to fill a vacancy. I appreciate that what caseworkers do is very stressful, and it's not for everyone. Many people leave bc it is so heart-wrenching. What McClure and Council are trying very hard to do is replace a cumbersome hiring system for caseworkers with one that will give you the help you need. I have written about this a few times. One of the stewards, Ms.Johnson, acknowledged this is happening during her remarks and supported it. But her position is that lousy wages are the main reason for the turnover. I believe that it is a stressful job, and that has to be a reason as well. The County wants ZERO vacancies, especially in CYF. Caseworkers do protect our most vulnerable.
You think it is amusing. Whose child is this? Did his grandpa approve this picture? does he have a grandpa?. are you saying that grandpas should not tend children, Just government bureaucrats? I think this picture is child abuse, probably cooked up by Child welfare workers to get more money. Anyone who has used this young child for political purposes is disgusting. Now we know why you dont have any children.
ReplyDeleteYour thought that this picture is amusing must be coming from a deep, dark part of your psyche that makes me question some of your other pronouncements on a wide variety of topics. You should be ashamed of yourself.
ReplyDeleteThe picture is very clearly child abuse, and your thought that it is "funny" is disturbing. Just reposting it perpetuates the abuse, similar to child pornography. Just because you didn't create the photo, doesn't remove your complicity. I agree with many of your viewpoints, and would like to think that your removal of the photo will be coming quickly. If it doesn't your blog must be reported to Blogger, IWF, and NCMEC.
ReplyDeletePlease remove immediately.
That picture is funny as hell. If you don't like it read another blog as the world doesn't revolve around your moral compass.
ReplyDeleteAs for the case workers, take a stand and see what you can get. If you don't like what you get start applying for other jobs. Unlike the poor child in the picture, you're not tied to a chair in Northampton County. Its a free country so by all means exercise your rights as an American. Stop waiting for others to give you what you think you deserve.
Most of the county work force is underpaid. The county refuses to use the Steps in the wage scale which just blows my mind. The wage study that was done years ago mysteriously disappeared never to be found?? So, the bottom line is the county's work force is not a appreciated and not seen as a threat. This enables the county to give out measly raises of 2%. Not surprising to me. Thank God I don't work for the county anymore.
ReplyDelete10:11,10:29 & 10:39
ReplyDeletePerhaps you should report me to CYF., lol.
You obviously have no sense of humor.
Bern, in the under paid worker class why no one mentions the pandering representatives of the court. There LLP's they represent in this broken are the ones stealing monies from over billing the system. This all the while stealing from not only the innocent indigent ones but all so feild workers.
ReplyDeleteA total overall from top to bottom and all points in between!
Re: duct-taped child to make a point
ReplyDeleteHey, if it's good enough for our esteemed representatives, why not for a bottom-feeding blogger?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9MK02K1Tpk
Oddly enough, that's not the dumbest thing caught on tape for that genius. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cesSRfXqS1Q
What's funnier, watching him wring hands over Guam capsizing, or his hilarious attempt at Latin while fantasizing about duct-taped kids? Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, the photo is a riot. It beats Benedryl and vodka sippy cups for the rambunctious little urchins. Everyone needs to relax, Francis.
Anyone with a sense of humor can see the picture is for those who are elderly and have gradkids. All that energy, high on sugar, and spoiled by their parents.
ReplyDeleteIt's a joke. Stop trying to make it into something it isn't.
*grandkids
ReplyDeleteI never posted a great big heart on one of pieces. People would accuse me of trying to make fun of Kardashian's large ass. (What, I say something wrong?) I'm also hesitant to post chimps or even a tangerine for that matter. Hold on... what was the subject about again? Sure would be nice if people stuck to it (me included I suppose).
ReplyDeleteHope they get what they deserve.
ReplyDeleteI have a great sense of humor, have 8 grandkids who all have lots of energy. But the photo is disgraceful. What's next, a story about domestic violence with a man smacking his wife around? Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteall dey do is tke kidz!
ReplyDeleteThis executive can be very verdictive when people do not do as he wants. He is that way with employees and others. He and Mr. Dertinger are very angry people who smile for the cameras. Even County Council is included. Council peoples hair would turn white if they knew the things they say about some of them. They have zero respect for employees and council.
ReplyDelete”This executive can be very verdictive when people do not do as he wants”
ReplyDeleteTry using a dictionary before making an ass out of yourself. If you work for CYF, God help the children.
2:09
ReplyDeleteDon't you have an anti-plastic straw rally to attend?
Much like the mentality of someone who doesn't know the difference between "there" and "their"?
ReplyDeleteAgree with 3:53 PM except correcting verdictive to vindictive. It is their way or the highway. Can't wait until they get the highway.
ReplyDeleteSam Murray is not Irish =Lebanese Fraud Married to large Marge !
ReplyDeleteBob hows everything in Jersey. Still have beverages?
DeleteOH LAWD! Dey took my kidz OH LAWD!
ReplyDelete