When McClure directed these social workers return to the Human Services building, Human Services Director Sue Wandalowski devised a detailed plan (described here) that would minimize the risk. In fact, her plan has been circulated by the statewide association of Human Services workers. Nevertheless, many of the county's human services' staff continue to groan. They have emailed Council members, spoke out at the last Council meeting and have attempted to enlist the support of local news organizations. Steve Cantanese, the President oif the local SEIU, told The Morning Call that McClure's insistence that they return to the office is "one of the most blatant disregards for workers in public safety
that we've seen."
Really? Office work? Give me a break. Cantanese needs to get his head out of his ass. Several of my forebears died in mine collapses, where there really was a blatant disregard for worker safety. My grandfather was missing three fingers. He worked the mines as a boy, and his job was to pick up stray pieces of coal and thrown them into a passing coal car. Office work?
Cantanese's remark is a slap across their faces.
It is also a slur to two million Pennsylvanians (1.8 million employees and 200,000 self-employed) have no work at all. Governor Tom Wolf's shutdown has seen to that. Many of these people have yet to see a penny in unemployment benefits. Governor Tom Wolf has seen to that, too. These folks are begging to get back to work. Cantanese and his entitled social workers expect these Pennsylvanians to pay them to sit on their asses while pretending to be scared.
Public sector employees have a very bad reputation, and this is why.
Ironically, many employees at the courthouse have soldiered on, and with no complaints. The elections office is processing mail-in ballots, and I believe they are now over 34,000.
Gracedale's staff has had reasonable concerns because the nursing home was hit hard with Covid-19. Amazingly Health Secretary Rachel Levine ordered nursing homes to accept new residents even if they tested positive for Covid-19. Some staffers there were afraid and had every right to be afraid. But call-offs have diminished.
Finally, there's the jail. The virus has hit both inmates and corrections officers. But guess what? These corrections officer have really distinguished themselves. In fact, on Saturday morning, alert guards managed to rescue an inmate who was trying to hang himself.
Unfortunately, news organizations increasingly sell sensationalism, not facts. So the Chicken Littles in Human Services get the front page. Guards who save someone's life get nothing.
Real EZ , go in to HR , and tell them We don’t these employee payroll numbers apparently.
ReplyDeleteYou are so cruel. You have a supposed story. Who gave it to you the McClure machine? You will print anything they tell you. You have not allowed numerous comments that are not pro-McClure. You are nothing now but a press agent for McClure.
ReplyDeletePlease Prove your prison story. Prove employees are not working. Where is the proof? He claims he has proof so make it public. Hopefully county council demands to see- proof be shone to them Of course if they do you will attack them. Only McClure bobbleheads are allowed. If there has been a problem then punish those responsible. Better yet punish the managers and administrators who did not do their jobs. This is another time when McClure lost his famous temper and is on an anger power trip.
This is about his ego and not productivity or safety.
"one of the most blatant disregards for workers in public safety
ReplyDeletethat we've seen."
yup.
ranks right up there with the Triangle Shirt Factory
Fire all of them and hire people who want to work.. enough of these pussies crying and getting paid..go to work you overpaid fuckin pussies...GOOD JOB Mr Mclure!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI still don't understand why public services employees continued to be paid when so many outside that system wait for unemployment checks. If indeed productivity was the same, I maintain fewer workers are needed full time. And if some services were not provided, maybe they were not necessary. When I worked as a case worker much of my time was spent feeding stats to the Pa. A small portion of my day was spent in actual face to face encounters with clients. Looking at the schools, did they turn to the robust tools home schooling parents have used to provide education to their children? If we had leaders willing to look at the fat built into our systems we would have less need for monies and increased opportunities. If our educational system will claim that the current system of no face to face has allowed students to successfully earn grades/credits to move on then why spend all the money for "the experience". I hope I am not the patient meeting the nurse that missed the clinical practice on my needed procedure or another professional fixing some critical equipment that may impact on my well being. Or maybe "book " learning and practice hours are not all it is made out to be?
ReplyDeleteIm curious how many human service workers call out sick today...
ReplyDeletePussy’s. Get back to work or you’re fired. Won’t be able to collect that government pension.
ReplyDeleteI give Kudo's to all those who continue to work in those at risk environments and have risen above to provide the county services without complaining. The department of Corrections has historically gotten bad press and usually don't receive praise. Fortunately they don't complain like so many others do.
ReplyDeleteChild safety and investigation of child abuse/neglect is an essential service. This is what you signed up for. If kids are ok to bag groceries, coming into contact with hundreds of people a shift, I am quite sure you'll be fine down there at that fancy new office building you got.
ReplyDeleteThis post misses the point. We are in a state of emergency and the governor's directive is that those who can work from home do so. Correctional officers are probably less effective over zoom. Clearly, many jobs or job functions cannot be performed remotely and the county still has a responsibility to provide these essential services. But to just order them to all return all at once seems foolish and short-sighted. Especially considering it doesn't sound like it was even addressed with the employees.
ReplyDelete" But to just order them to all return all at once seems foolish and short-sighted. Especially considering it doesn't sound like it was even addressed with the employees."
ReplyDeleteWhen you aren't performing, this is what happens. And no, you have no right to be consulted in advance. You folks really need to get over yourselves.
I get the fear at Gracedale. They and COs already have a demanding job without the added stress of Covid-19. You are being required to work, and have proven you can't be trusted to work from home.
Oh and btw I do not work for DHS, I work for the courts. My office is operating at less than half capacity at this point, which seems reasonable. I'm physically there to days per week for the rest of the month.
ReplyDelete*two
DeleteI am currently working from home and can say, without any doubt, I am not as productive as I would be at work. I am doing my job, but in more hours than I would otherwise because I am also cutting the grass, baking a cake, and starting to think about what I will make for dinner. I know I'm not alone because the discipline I have in the office is missing at home is the shared by many of my colleagues. When, however, I am told to get back to the office, I will run, rather than walk, because I hate this "new normal" that we have been made to accept.
ReplyDeleteComment moderation should be enabled, in my opinion, because the last eight to ten posts are apparently from a stay-at-home social services employee, no?
ReplyDeleteNo need. I delete the troll, who is not a human services staffer.
ReplyDeleteFor crying out loud, Bernie, send the last few comment threads to Wolf so he can see what social isolation and quarantine is doing to the deranged. I enjoy reading the comments -- mostly thoughtful and informed -- of others, but today's nonsense is giving me a headache!
ReplyDeleteWhat you actually do is delete any who call out McClure's bullshit and pretend it is one troll.. You are fooling no one. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid but others know the truth. Don't you feel sad?
ReplyDeleteCan't go to the office, but those working in the Record of Deeds office ( no homes being sold) and other offices at the courthouse have been working. Their union said nothing. Get your asses back to work and protect the kids as your job dictates. Or find a new line of employment!
ReplyDelete"What you actually do is delete any who call out McClure's bullshit and pretend it is one troll.. You are fooling no one. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid but others know the truth. Don't you feel sad?
ReplyDeleteI never said I have only one troll. I have several: Don Moore (lockdown nut to the point where he attempts to hijack this blog); Robert Ryan (Sam Murray hater); Tricia Mezzacappa (hates McClure); Bill Villa (hates Jim Martin): Rolf Oeler (hates all Democrats, to name a few. I delete them bc they are all repetitive, have all spammed this blog and anonymously attack other readers
What a difference when a Democrat is in office. When Brown was in office the poor employees were so overworked and abused. Now they’re not working and sleeping instead of working. Same employees different day. Fire them all. They’re all incompetent.
ReplyDelete"What a difference when a Democrat is in office. When Brown was in office the poor employees were so overworked and abused. Now they’re not working and sleeping instead of working. Same employees different day. Fire them all. They’re all incompetent. "
ReplyDeleteNah, the social workers at Northampton County have always been an entitled, whiney bunch no matter who is in office. It's kind of a universal truth.
let the pencil pushers be pencil pushers. I love seeing them come out the jail on break knowing they don't do a damn thing and get paid more then we do in there nice flashy suits and ties. the real hero's are in grey and wear uniforms!!!!
ReplyDelete"I am currently working from home and can say, without any doubt, I am not as productive as I would be at work. I am doing my job, but in more hours than I would otherwise because I am also cutting the grass, baking a cake, and starting to think about what I will make for dinner. I know I'm not alone because the discipline I have in the office is missing at home is the shared by many of my colleagues. When, however, I am told to get back to the office, I will run, rather than walk, because I hate this "new normal" that we have been made to accept."
ReplyDeleteoh poor you, working from home for 2 hours and doing nothing the rest of the day. go cry to someone who cares. you big baby