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Upper Darby Public Works.-(PETE BANNAN-DAILY TIMES)<\/p>\nUpper Darby municipal workers unanimously voted to strike Monday, if they don\u2019t get a new contract.<\/p>\n
More than 100 workers represented by AFL-CIO Transport Workers Union 234\u00a0 authorized a strike if their contract, which ends at the end of the year, is not renewed.<\/p>\n
The vote could mean a potential walkout as soon as New Year\u2019s Day. Officials said they were resuming negotiations following the vote.<\/p>\n
The union said approximately 115 workers provide a wide range of municipal services in Upper Darby, including garbage collection, snow removal, street and highway maintenance, sewer and drainage system maintenance.<\/p>\n
They also conduct police and township vehicle repairs, street lighting and animal control.<\/p>\n
The membership vote would empower union leaders to initiate a strike at any time after the contract expires.<\/p>\n
\u201cUpper Darby administrators have dragged their heels and have not negotiated a contract for our members in good faith,\u201d TWU Local 234 President Brian Pollitt said. \u201cTheir contract demands are outrageous and would harm both workers and residents. We are sounding the alarm.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t take this action lightly,\u201d Gene Olivant, a Sanitation Department driver and lifelong Upper Darby resident, said. \u201cWe are members of this community. Many of us live here, and our extended families live here. But the mayor and his administrators have launched a vicious attack against us and our livelihood. We believe they are also quietly planning to cut essential municipal services that we provide and that residents depend on. We can\u2019t stand by and let this happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Union officials said they attempted to begin negotiations for a successor agreement, but the township stalled and didn\u2019t come to the table until November.<\/p>\n
Upper Darby Public Works.-(PETE BANNAN-DAILY TIMES)<\/p>\n
The township did not produce an initial contract proposal until Dec. 5, and what they presented is full of unreasonable demands, including reducing the workforce, tripling workers\u2019 health care costs, eliminating job titles, and removing seniority rights, Union officials said in a news release.<\/p>\n
In a rebuttal, township Chief Administrative Officer Crandall Jones disputed those claims and said he finds it unusual that such a vote is being taken while the current contract is still active and before an impasse has been reached.<\/p>\n
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Upper Darby Township Chief Administrative Officer Crandall Jones<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority remains balancing the needs of our employees with the financial responsibility we owe to taxpayers,\u201d Jones said.\u00a0 \u201cTo date, we have held three meetings, including today\u2019s, which was productive. One of the township\u2019s key objectives in these negotiations is to achieve a fair and reasonable cost-sharing agreement for our health plan. Currently, the township covers 96.5% of health costs, making it one of the most generous plans available to employees, but also one of the most expensive for taxpayers. Nationally, employee contributions to health plans range from 12% to 30%, depending on the industry and sector. The township is proposing a gradual approach to bring all employees closer to parity, with 10% being the highest current contribution for some employees.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones said there is no intention to reduce the workforce or undermine seniority.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn skilled positions, the township values certifications and skills as key considerations, not solely tenure,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n