Politics & Government

Northampton County Council Rejects Union Contract

Council members say they can't see giving raises when others are worried about keeping their jobs.

Northampton County Council has rejected a contract for 62 court-appointed county employees, citing concerns about giving raises during a time of economic decline.

By a 6-2 vote Thursday evening, council voted down the three-year contract, which was decided recently by arbitration.

It gave the employees -- who work for a variety of departments, including juvenile and adult probation, DUI probation, pre-trial, and domestic relations -- a 4 percent salary increase for 2010, and 2.5 percent increases for 2011 and 2012. In return, the employees would see their health care costs go up .5 percent.

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Councilwoman Peg Ferraro noted that the contract was reached through arbitration, which she argued "never seems to go in favor of the taxpayer. It always seems to go in favor of the union.”

She wondered why employees couldn't accept a wage freeze.

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"Everybody’s who’s in a financial difficulty now is just happy to have  a job," Ferraro said.

Councilwoman Ann McHale, who voted for the contract, noted that the employees had taken a wage freeze in the past.

Administration officials say they need to research how to proceed from here. With council rejecting the contract, it's impossible for the county to fund it.

Also Thursday, Councilman Ron Angle suggested that the county hire an accountant to look at the feasibility of keeping or selling Gracedale, and then prepare a report for the public.

As we've reported before, the county is , and has only funded it until June. A group of citizens wants voters to decide on the issue, which will be on the May primary ballot.

Angle's call for an accountant was part of a larger theme at the meeting: the notion of educating people on Gracedale. During the public comment portion of the meeting, Palmer Township resident John Halligan told council he thinks the public is getting more opinion than fact.

Angle says he's planning on holding public meetings, but also suggested the accountant idea. Councilman Lamont McClure -- who frequently clashes with  -- questioned whether council could find someone in time. He also wondered if that accountant would be independent if chosen by a group of people with a vested interest in the outcome.

"You’re presuming people aren’t reputable," Angle said, but the issue wasn't going anywhere. Council President John Cusick moved onto the next matter.

"I don’t see any movements on this. It’s going to go to the voters," Cusick said. "The voters can read the newspapers and make the decisions based on what’s been presented."

Angle wanted to keep discussing the matter, but Cusick kept going, talking over Angle and even asking for motions as Angle continued to press the issue.

"I have no answer to you," Cusick said finally.


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