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.
