Westmoreland County, union exchange proposals as strike deadline looms

Negotiators for Westmoreland County’s largest labor union and the commissioners have exchanged what was described as “final offers” in an effort to avoid the first strike against the county government in more than three decades.

Al Smith, staff director and business agent for the Service Employees International Union Local 668 and Healthcare PA said no face-to-face negotiations have been conducted since the union that represents more than 500 county workers notified county officials last week of their intent to strike on Feb. 2 without an agreement in place on a new labor deal.

“We’re still exchanging proposals through a mediator and we should have a better idea of where things stand on Thursday when we hear back on our final proposal. We’ve exchanged what we call our final proposal and what they’ve said is their final proposal,” Smith said.

The SEIU’s four-year contract with Westmoreland County expired at the end of December. Talks on a new deal have been contentious and the union has held numerous informational pickets on county property since last fall and into the new year to protest the slow pace of negotiations.

Smith said the issue of wages has been the primary sticking point in negotiations as the union is seeking raises in line with the 17% pay hikes commissioners and other county elected officials have received over the last three years. Union members received annual pay raises of about 2% under terms of the recently expired labor contract.

Commissioner Sean Kertes said talks to resolve the dispute are ongoing.

“There are daily discussions between both parties,” Kertes said.

Commissioner Ted Kopas declined to discuss details of the talks.

“I am confident we can get this resolved,” Kopas said.

A strike would be the first job walkout by union members in more than 30 years. Workers including nurses and support staff at Westmoreland Manor, the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield, account for nearly half of the potential strikers. Courthouse workers including clerical staff in non court-related offices, public works and maintenance employees, Area Agency on Aging caseworkers, 911 dispatchers, juvenile detention and shelter workers and deputy coroners are part of the union.

Smith said all staff are eligible to walk off the job next week, but conceded that county officials could seek a court injunction to force 911 dispatchers to remain at work to ensure public safety. County officials contend a prior agreement with the union bars 911 and coroners from striking.

County officials said contingency plans are being formulated in response to a potential strike. Those plans include assurances that residents at the Manor are cared for should nurses and other staff hit the picket line next week.

“We have plenty of contracts with outside agencies to ensure we have enough staff to keep the proper (staff to resident) ratio at the Manor,” said Commissioner Doug Chew.

For the last several years the county has contracted with private nursing companies to augment staffing at the Manor.

“We feel the concern from these families (of Manor residents) and it’s a motivating factor to get a deal done,” Kopas said.

Commissioners said county operations are expected to be uninterrupted should workers strike next week.

“We are not doing this out of spite. We’re doing everything we can to resolve this quickly,” Kertes said.