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Monday, November 14, 2022

Juvenile Justice Center Workers Reject Highest County Offer

According to NorCo Council member John Goffredo, "we have a lot of staffing shortage issues." This apparently is what prompted his call for Exec Lamont McClure to relax a county vaccine mandate. Northampton County only has a vaccine mandate for new hires. The mandate at Gracedale is driven by the CMS. 

McClure discussed staff shortages and pay, but said it would probably be for the last time. He noted that the CO classes might lose one or two prospective employees for each training class. "It's not a problem," he assured Goffredo. 

McClure did, however, discuss the staffing crisis at the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC). He repeated that he has made the largest three-year contract offer to the union representing JJC staff in the history of the county - 4 1/2% step, 4 1/2% step and 2 1/2% COLA. There would be no increase in the cost of medical care. "That's a lot of money. And that's a lot of money to our taxpayers living in fixed incomes who write their real estate property tax checks to our general fund. There are widows all over this county trying to stay in their homes. ... We need to be cognizant of that and I have been but I also know I have the responsibility to balance those interests - to balance the interest of fairly paying the youth care workers. I understand that and that's why we made this offer.

"All of this talk that we've been doing in public about the pay of unionized workers ... - it materially disadvantages the taxpayer. who I am the representative of, in the negotiations. In other words, all that talk costs the taxpayers more money. And it doesn't mean the record offer we made isn't fair. 

McClure went on to say that he has "a lot of respect for Judge [Craig] Dally," who has advocated higher wages at JCC. "When he came here and talked about the starting salary, we thought a lot about that. And we enhanced the already record offer. We took that starting salary, which was somewhere in the $16 and change range, and we did this; [reading from a memo] "[T]he County is willing to move all individuals working at the youth development center to a base salary of $19,63 per hour in 2023. If an individual is making over $19.63 per hour, their wage will not be adjusted. The starting wage will be reset at $18.78 an hour." McClure also added three steps for employees already at the top step. 

This offer was rejected. 

"This is the last time I'm going to talk about this in public," McClure said. he feels that doing so has a negative impact on the taxpayer, who will have to pay the bill. 

Goffredo told McClure "the taxpayer doesn't care," and then quickly corrected himself to imply that McClure will waste taxpayer money on a yet-to-be funded health center. McClure retorted that the health center will save taxpayer money, not waste it.  

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Take the offer and get to work, ya lazy bums. He's right- consider the poor taxpayers footing your gravy paychecks.

Anonymous said...

Good for Mr. Goffredo, he has the guts to take on, Lyin Lamont. While you continue to puff up the emperor without clothes, leaders like Goffredo are asking the tough questions and not afraid to expose the truth. McClure continues to play the taxpayer song all the while he gives hefty pay to his favorite people and pushes his costly pet projects. His Health Department run up is a prime example. Naturally he claims it will save money and he has the vendor created numbers to make a claim that he nor you can really prove.

So, you keep doing your job for the authoritarian and hopefully others on council will protect th employees and really protect taxpayers from the guy who thinks he is king. They must do it in spite of your attacks and crazy cult like defense of your pal.

Anonymous said...

It’s about time, these workers deserve a starting salary of $50k, with child care, 100% medical coverage, and 4% placed in a 401K for retirement. The benefits will increase after a period of time which will turn into a pension like the police officers have in the community. They should strike until they get what they deserve.

Anonymous said...

Let the record show this 75 y/o widowed homeowner cares about taxes. Public service workers, many having a bachelor's degree, often seem to compare themselves to workers in warehouse jobs and think that entitles them to as much or more in pay. Their vacation, personal and sick time and health care benefits pale in comparison to non-public jobs. And if employed in a warehouse they would know what production goals, and defined break times mean. Every job is valuable. If you want to bring a city to its knees, stop collection of garbage. Don't be so smug.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

It is funny Lamont is a man for the tax payer. Well what about that extra 40 some million every year??? Where is that 90 million at???? Made that money from the tax payer. And it was supposed to be used for county issues...Like paying the employees. Not one county employee is becoming an millionaire working at the county but they need to be paid fairly. On step 4 after 13 years of service. And where you hitting the bottle again typing this opinion piece??? A lot of typing errors. I remember you tearing into a person making a comment a few articles ago about the juvy works and COs. Just fair is fair

Bernie O'Hare said...

9:43, This post is not really an opinion piece. I am merely reporting here, without comment, what Goffredo and McClure had to say.

Now let me get into opinions. If you want more money in your pocket than what has already been offered, you should want a health center. It would make it much easier for you and your family to seek medical care, and with no co-pay. Moreover, the savings to the county will make pay increases in future contracts more likely.

Without it, you are likely at an increase in your contribution to health care down the road.

Also, I am an advocate of higher pay for county employees and have been for any years. I believe that JJC workers should start at the same level as COs. There are real inequities in the ways people from different departments are paid. It is time to start compensating people better.

Anonymous said...

If you want higher pay, take up a vocation that offers higher pay, and requires real work, not some cushy office job, trading hot air.

Anonymous said...

Waiting for you to report on the fact County employees who have previously worked in JJC are being FORCED to work shifts there. Not only do they not give a crap about County employees in general- which has been shown across the board… low pay, low morale, no work life balance- but now they are threatening employees of other departments to pick up shifts. It’s comical!!! They treat all County employees like trash- ask for volunteers to work in one of the worst places, wonder why there are no volunteers & then start with the threats. Employees who are treated well will always do more than expected or asked.

Anonymous said...

Maybe you should start looking into the staffing issues at the 911 center! Beyond short staffed! Not being able to get a day off, getting mandated non stop, most dispatchers working 20 + hours overtime and the list goes on. Over 20,000 dollars paid in overtime in just a two week period!

Anonymous said...

I think this is the deal that tells County Council that it is time to close the doors and get rid of this drain on the taxpayers.
Sorry Judge Dally this is the white elephant of the county

Anonymous said...

People on here are acting like they have to personally pay the 50k a year salary. Relax, if taxes go up to pay for the salaries, it will only be a few bucks, no life altering change.

Also, I’m curious if you keep this same energy when corporations got their million dollar PPP loans forgiven? You paid for that too.

Anonymous said...

When something sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. County employees are very happy with our present medical benefits and I don't know of anyone who ask the administration to change our medical benefits. McClure will say anything to try and make him look better and will lie through his teeth to accomplish that goal, and Council is right to check on him and what he is claiming to be a better medical program and cheaper. When Council does the pay study, they should also include the benefits. Do not do one without the other.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, you suggest comments displaying tribalism will be declined and yet there is a comment about non-vaxxed being murderers. Don't let your own biases effect your moderation. You know that's wrong - or you don't, which would be appalling.

Anonymous said...

"really protect taxpayers"

by overpaying entry-level employees? hardly

Bernie O'Hare said...

Sorry, I do not see the murder comment. I do not consider the non-vaxxed to be murderers. I believe everyone has a right to make his own choice when it comes to his own body, unless it involves health care. Everyone in that field should be vaccinated, and failure to get one has resulted in tragedy at nursing homes and hospitals. I strongly encourage others to get vaccinated, but agree that is a matter of choice.

Anonymous said...

Kind of like college loan debt forgiveness?

Anonymous said...

Actually they do. Anyone who would do a study on pay and not on benefits should absolutely not be in their position. These two go hand and with costs.

Anonymous said...

Bernie @ 8:28 - "non-vaxxed are murderers. Don't hire murderers."

I understand comments slip though (there is high volume and mistakes happen). Although you may not hold that position, your comment disclaimer makes it feel like it is allowed. As a "non-vaxxed murderer", I am absolutely in no rush to meet in the middle with someone that holds that POV of almost 20% the country.

Bernie O'Hare said...

It is actually closer to 30%. I would urge one and all to get a vaccine if you are eligible. But I have already said I no problem with people who are leery of the vaccine. I know people of good will who decline it. I would even oppose a mandate except for workers in the health care field.

Anonymous said...

No Employees want to go to McClure health Center and has to switch Dr.s I know Bernie you say don't ave to go to it if you don't want to.McClure should do a survey and he would see it would be a waste of County Tax payers money as employees don't want to switch Drs. to go there!.

Anonymous said...

No Employees want to go to McClure health Center and has to switch Dr.s I know Bernie you say don't have to go to it if you don't want to.McClure should do a survey and he would see it would be a waste of County Tax payers money as employees don't want to switch Drs. to go there!.

Anonymous said...

College loan forgiveness will never pass, it was a political stunt. Nonetheless, I’d rather cancel the debt of the working class, than to cancel debt created by greedy corporations. These corporations should pull themselves up by their bootstraps instead…

Anonymous said...

So the unions are really working huh

Anonymous said...

So, McClure screams at anyone even couni8l if people talk about wages yet he can lay out an entire contract in public. Old Lyin Lamont is at it again. The union has no umph, so they won't complain. Take him to court. You could defend your boy. He is referred to as the Trump of the county.

Anonymous said...

You've got to be joking. Let them get to work, or find themselves out on the street.

Anonymous said...

" If you want more money in your pocket than what has already been offered, you should want a health center. It would make it much easier for you and your family to seek medical care, and with no co-pay."

It is part of your job to promote this McClure plan. Still, it is your opinion. Employees are sure to drive to a closed county health center instead of the open one down the street, so they save $15 twice a year. This is such BS it is sadly laughable. How about just pay people a real wage, instead of this smoke and mirror game. Your new best friend von footinmouth has made you soft in the head.

Anonymous said...

McClueless needs to be gone! He is wrecking this County. Long time residents can't afford to live here. GOOD BY McCLUELESS!

Bernie O'Hare said...

"McClure should do a survey "

He did. The idea was popular or he would never have pursued it.

Anonymous said...

Appreciate you removing the comment Bernie.

Your views certainly reflect what I consider a plurality, if not the majority, of how people view the situation.

Anonymous said...

Bernie you say McClure plan for health center is popular! Popular by him and his Adminstration is about it! Oh! maybe Charlie Tuna (Dertinger)likes it also!

Anonymous said...

That’s the problem there Billy. Nobody wants to work there lol. They’re short 50 people.

Anonymous said...

"He did. The idea was popular or he would never have pursued it."

Manipulator in chief McClure does whatever he wants. The survey was a joke. The questions were silly with no details. Would you like free stuff? Who says no9. You have no idea and only print what you are told to put out.

Anonymous said...

I’m glad Lamont is looking out for the taxpayers but the pay at the JJC is a joke. They want people with college degrees to deal with a very tough population. McDonalds on 248 is paying 15 bucks an hour I’m a retired PA corrections employee and I can tell you the juveniles are harder to deal with than the adult population. More fights. Less tools to manage bad behavior. Lots of emotion and drama. Whatever the COs get they should get also.

Anonymous said...

everyone complains about the regular employee's getting more money, but nobody talks about the raises that council just got or the secretary that already makes 6 figures getting a raise.