Post by admin on Nov 15, 2008 8:49:57 GMT -5
FREEHOLD — The Monmouth County freeholder board has instructed administration officials to finish work on a long-delayed contract with Communications Workers of America Local 1087, which represents some of the county's lowest-paid workers.
The approximately 400 unionized employees of the Monmouth County Department of Social Services received their last salary increase of 4 percent almost two years ago, according to contract documents.
Many workers have salaries "in the $20,000 to $30,000 range," said union President Barbara Johnson.
"Here's what we're going to do: We're going to get both sides together and sit in a room until this thing gets done," Freeholder William C. Barham said Thursday night at the board meeting, which was attended by about three dozen workers.
Barham said administration officials blame the delay on legal matters, with the final holdup being a dispute by the two sides over starting salary figures.
"Sometimes things take a little longer than they should," Barham said.
The local is one of the more than 20 unions representing Monmouth County workers.
Under the contract that expired Dec. 31, 2007, salaries for the workers ranged from $20,626 to $81,552.
Keansburg resident Nancy Kneipp, who has been a county employee for 10 years, asked the freeholders, "How would you like it if you haven't had a raise in two years? I almost qualify for housing assistance."
County Administrator Robert Czech said earlier negotiations led the parties to "creating a memorandum of agreement."
"Then an issue came up, but we resolved that. Then another issue came up regarding starting salaries for people who aren't working for the county (but would be in the future)," Czech said.
Czech said the county is facing budget constraints, but added, "The freeholder board is emphatic that the contract will be resolved."
Bob Jordan (732) 308-7755, bjordan@app.com
www.app.com/article/20081115/NEWS03/811150326/1285/LOCAL09
The approximately 400 unionized employees of the Monmouth County Department of Social Services received their last salary increase of 4 percent almost two years ago, according to contract documents.
Many workers have salaries "in the $20,000 to $30,000 range," said union President Barbara Johnson.
"Here's what we're going to do: We're going to get both sides together and sit in a room until this thing gets done," Freeholder William C. Barham said Thursday night at the board meeting, which was attended by about three dozen workers.
Barham said administration officials blame the delay on legal matters, with the final holdup being a dispute by the two sides over starting salary figures.
"Sometimes things take a little longer than they should," Barham said.
The local is one of the more than 20 unions representing Monmouth County workers.
Under the contract that expired Dec. 31, 2007, salaries for the workers ranged from $20,626 to $81,552.
Keansburg resident Nancy Kneipp, who has been a county employee for 10 years, asked the freeholders, "How would you like it if you haven't had a raise in two years? I almost qualify for housing assistance."
County Administrator Robert Czech said earlier negotiations led the parties to "creating a memorandum of agreement."
"Then an issue came up, but we resolved that. Then another issue came up regarding starting salaries for people who aren't working for the county (but would be in the future)," Czech said.
Czech said the county is facing budget constraints, but added, "The freeholder board is emphatic that the contract will be resolved."
Bob Jordan (732) 308-7755, bjordan@app.com
www.app.com/article/20081115/NEWS03/811150326/1285/LOCAL09