This year, the Tribune-­Review has published several stories regarding the hundreds of open job positions within Westmoreland County public services. I have worked for the county’s most vulnerable citizens since 2010. I am an aging-care manager at the Area Agency on Aging and a member of our SEIU bargaining committee. Our staffing deficit significantly compromises our ability to meet state-required mandates for completing initial and follow-up visits with the most vulnerable population of the aging community.

Since Jan. 1, three newly hired aging-care managers for our protective services unit left within 24 to 48 hours of starting the job. One specifically cited the wage disparity between AAA and other county agencies.

While AAA staff and Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau (WCCB) employees do similar jobs, we are paid more than $7,000 less annually than WCCB staff. Though AAA staff often face tighter deadlines, the starting wage for a case aide at AAA is nearly $4 per hour less than at WCCB.

Both agencies face great challenges; however, I am concerned that if the commissioners do not address this egregious wage disparity, we will not attract enough qualified employees to AAA, and services for Westmoreland’s elderly citizens will be hindered.

Vickie Rafferty

Youngwood

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