Lackawanna County CFS workers get new contract

Times-Tribune (Scranton, PA)

June 15--The Lackawanna County administration and workers from the office of youth and family services agreed to a new contract -- without a strike this time.

Commissioners approved a contract Wednesday that gives the department employees 3 percent raises effective Jan. 1 of each year from 2017 through 2021, and holds monthly health insurance premium contributions as $60 for single workers and $120 for family plans.

At the high end of the pay scale, the deal increases base salaries for workers with titles Caseworker II and Accountant I to $36,521 in 2017, and eventually to $37,721 after five sets of raises.

At the low end of the pay scale, the collective bargaining agreement increases salaries for workers with titles Clerk Typist I, Homemaker Trainee and Clerk I to $24,342 in 2017, and eventually to $25,542 in 2021.

"I believe this contract is reasonable for both sides," Deputy Director for Human Resources Justin MacGregor told commissioners. "Negotiations were respectful and cordial. They went smoothly, and they were completed relatively quickly. And, I believe part of that is because we managed to restore positive labor relations."

The approximately 100-member union went on its first strike since 1980 in May 2015, after negotiations with the last administration deadlocked. The strike ended with a contract agreement that gave raises of 2 percent, 3 percent and 2 percent to members for 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Democratic Commissioners Patrick O'Malley and Jerry Notarianni voted yes on the contract; Republican Commissioner Laureen Cummings abstained.

Cummings said her issue wasn't with pay, and she even thinks the department's workers don't make enough money.

"I was in foster care," she said. "I know the work that you do."

Instead, Cummings said she took issue with the deal giving members of the union primary and general election days off.

Union representative Matt Balas said the administration actually requested that change to bring the days off in line with other county workers who don't work election day, so members gave up a personal day and their birthdays in exchange.

Balas also described the contract as a fair deal.

"This is a fair agreement, equitable for everybody and does not hurt the taxpayers of this county," Balas said.

Cummings suggested to increase transparency, the county should post collective bargaining agreements online for 60 days prior to votes in the future to give the public a chance to review the deals and provide input.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5181;

@kwindTT on Twitter

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