Lately, Northampton County administrators, including Executive Lamont McClure, have been addressing County Council during courtesy of the floor. In perhaps the most bizarre of these disquisitions, Human Services Director Sue Wandalowski used her time in the people's pulpit last night to accuse the courts of "poaching" two of her staffers.
According to Wandalowski, she currently has 38 vacancies in CYF (Children Youth and Families), more commonly known as child protective services. This is the highest it's been since her arrival five years ago. These are the people who investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect, so staff shortages here are undeniably critical.
She accused the courts of approaching and recruiting two of her CYF supervisors to become probation officers. She noted that the starting salary of a probation officer is only $49,000, which is below their current $52,000 salary. She noted that Court Administrator Jermaine Greene promised these probation officer hopefuls that he'd seek a two-step pay increase (lateral transfer) so that they'd be making more than their current wage.
Wandalowski said she consulted with the Executive, and they jointly decided that "we are not going to assist in the further weakening of CYF." This refusal to assist apparently included a Human Relations refusal to process the request for a two-step pay increase (lateral transfer) by County Council.
While insisting that she would never deny a county employee the right to transfer to another position, she wanted Council to "send a clear message" by denying the step increases being sought. "Switching jobs sometimes has consequences," said Wandalowski, "and in this case the consequence is making less money than they would at CYF."
The County's Constitution is its Home Rule Charter, adopted in 1977. It establishes a "career service designed to attract, select, and retain, on the basis of a fair and open competitive selection process, the best qualified individuals, and to impose on elected officials, officers, and employees the highest possible ethical standards." It specifically calls for "impartial standards" in filling vacancies, not some design to keep people shackled in involuntary servitude for their professional career.
I believe slavery is abolished in the US Constitution as well.
In addition to punishing county workers who just wish to advance their careers, Wandalowski got her facts wrong. Nobody did any poaching.
Court Administrator Jermaine Greene stated her claim was "categorically untrue" and had the evidence to prove it. He stated that his office was approached by the CYF Supervisors, not the other way around. "I don't have to poach anyone. People want to come work for the courts. We treat our people good. That's why these candidates want to come."
Greene brought the candidates themselves so they could tell County Council themselves that they approached the courts on their own. He also brought Paul Singley, Deputy Chief Probation Officer, who told Council that there was no poaching. He was approached by the CYF supervisors because they knew there were two openings.
Singley indicated there are 23 probation officers.
"If somebody wants to move and wants a different job, they should have the right," said Council President Lori Vargo Heffner.
"Why are we punishing them for wanting to come and advance their career?" asked Greene. "That's how I look at it."
Council member John Brown added that one reason why County employees stay is precisely so they can transfer to advance their careers. He added that the staff shortage at CYF is no basis for denying an employee's right to transfer. "I would propose that we just move this forward," he said of the two-step pay raise (lateral transfer).
County Council will vote on this matter tonight.
HR Director Mary Lou Kaboly told County Council that the count executive has to sign off on two-step increases (lateral transfers), but declined to do so in this instance. Assistant County Solicitor Richard Santee also advised Council that they are a salary board and have the power of the purse. He disputes the argument that a DA or judge can decide on his own what salaries he wants to pay.
Clarification at 10 AM: County Council must approve two-step increases, but I've just learned that what really is involved here is a lateral transfer. The employees in question will be paid $53,000 if County Council approves the lateral transfer. Jermaine Greene believes this transfer is warranted because the candidates meet all the educational requirements, are experienced and would be a good fit in probation.
18 comments:
49 thousand lol. 52 thousand wow 3 grand. It’s the job. 3 thousand more no headaches supervising ppl when a kids life may depend on it it. It’s a no brainer. Aldi warehouse is paying 25 bucks an hour to start. That’s CB more than a CYS supervisor it’s disgraceful!
Kind of makes one wonder if the director of YTF is the reason there are so many vacancies
What the Hell is going on over there? McClure is at war with everyone. It is well known it's his way or the Highway but his constant standoffs with the Court and DA are becoming stuff of legend. Rumor has it he has threatened to take areas of the county to court if they disagree with him. Apparently, he plans to sue county council already. Why is he and his gang leaning on council over these raises. If it's in their budgets, why not let them do it. Once again, the administration comes off as a bully.
If anything, this weird story, makes it even more clear why there needs to be a county pay study. Nothing makes any sense with pay and it seems no one is really clear about who runs what. Unfortunately, McClure is blocking any attempt at doing any pay study. So, it would appear this is just more of the same county craziness.
Employees should certainly be able to change positions, but should not be bribed (two-step jump) to do so. If I change my job and move to a different department, I do so knowing it may be a financial hit in the beginning, but other factors (gaining experience, better opportunities, etc.) will help me in the end. I imagine Children and Youth is a particularly difficult department due to what is investigated and the turnover high, so helping the director retain/recruit workers is essential.
TFW people making more money with higher net worths get pissed off at lower paid people who are trying to make more money and develop a higher net worth. She ought to ask herself why people don't want to work for her. That will require honesty and introspection.
Anonymous 8:42 said...
"Employees should certainly be able to change positions, but should not be bribed (two-step jump) to do so. If I change my job and move to a different department, I do so knowing it may be a financial hit in the beginning, but other factors (gaining experience, better opportunities, etc.) will help me in the end. I imagine Children and Youth is a particularly difficult department due to what is investigated and the turnover high, so helping the director retain/recruit workers is essential."
I was going to make the same points as 8:42, but they already said it and said it well.
County Council shouldn't be aiding this process by approving a two-step pay increase or lateral transfer.
As another post noted, the county is already in competition with the private sector for competent employees. Still, while the private sector can offer competitive wages the county has substantial benefits that make the wage gap with the private sector less important.
But if you start enabling different departments within the county to compete against each other like this, it will devolve into a free-for-all that does not benefit the county mission or county taxpayers.
From some of the comments so far, it seems like I might be on McClure's side of the issue here and that makes me sick to my stomach. Assuming that's the case, I'll take comfort in telling myself that even a broken clock like McClure is still right twice a day.
Maybe Lamont and chuck should just start paying all county employees better. Walks around bragging about a 47 million dollar profit for the county. Made that surplus on the backs of county employees he doesn't give them their steps.
Perhaps the pay steps need to be automatic as they used to be and the only thing unions or career services should argue for is COLAs, people would stick around more and not have to move around to increase their pay and make a decent wage.
imagine if the county actually cared about human services and didn’t have the county executive talk down about them. maybe if they appreciated staff that work there more and what they have to see, hear & investigate, staff would stay. instead their meet with pushback about raises and refusing to pay them more. the only county in Pa that is paid as low as northampton county for the size.
if they fought for their current employees instead of trying to fight against two leaving maybe they’d be in a different position and wouldn’t have to worry about 2 people leaving and 38 vaccines.
This wouldn’t be so bad if the probation officer actually started at 49k but Northampton County is the lowest paying in our area and starts at 42k. I can tell you I’ve known officers who have been working for the department for years and have yet to see 49k . More than half the department has to work two jobs to maintain and are either actively seeking employment elsewhere or have moved on because of this. Lehigh and Bucks county start their secretaries at higher salaries than Northampton County Probation Officers. This has definitely been a slap in the face to the probation officers who have been loyal to Northampton County and this needs to be addressed with them personally ASAP before they really start dropping like flies.
As a leader if the salary is low in a very difficult job with high turnover why isn't she asking for a wage increase for her staff? No supervisor should ever interfere with transfers. As much as I hated to lose excellent employees to other county jobs I always supported the employees decision. Her outburst in public frankly is embarrassing for her. The real problem including getting DA's as mentioned is low salaries but more important is how employees are treated and valued. Other bosses in the county may indeed offer incentives but employees wouldn't consider them if they were happy with their jobs. This was not the way to support her employees. Advocate for pay increases or incentives for her staff and treat them well!
So a brand new probation officer will make $4000 more then a probation officer who has been there for years and they are doing the same job. How does that make sense?
Again all the more reason a pay study needs to be done! I distinctly remember a parole officer who had to go to county council a few years ago to get the COLA because the county administration refused. It just shows how out of touch administrations are with there employees. Then they wonder why they cant find quality employees with education and integrity for these positions.
Bernie, will you be doing a story on how two brand new POs will be making 4000 more starting then the POs who have been there for years and Jermaine promised them more money behind everyone’s back.
I just addressed your comment and concern in my story written for Friday. Please read the current story.
In the valley poaching other organizations staff has become common place across all industries and fields. Manufacturers do it, Warehouse companies do it. Trucking companies do it. Hospital and medical facilities are doing it. Schools are doing it. So why would it be expected to be any different in the public sector. There simply is not enough labor in the region to fill all the slots which are available no matter what excuse you want to make.
Starting new people at a higher pay then what the current is making leads to numerous to jump quickly. Shows that the leadership does not care. And even if you bring the current up to the same they will most likely leave. Too late. Should have done it earlier.
That the positions weren't posted is concerning. I know some conference officers in domestic relations would have jumped at the opportunity. And I believe they're on the same scale as the probation officers. But that would be the courts poaching from the courts and that is no bueno. They even make you sign what's basically a non-compete clause when you start at drs, agreeing that you won't go to another department for a couple of years.
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