The union said it urged the township to begin negotiations in May, but Upper Darby officials \u201cstalled\u201d and did not come to the bargaining table until November. Local 234 asserted the township presented a contract proposal on Dec. 5, which would reduce the workforce, increase union members\u2019 health care costs and remove seniority rights.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t take this action lightly,\u201d Gene Olivant, a sanitation department driver, said in the press release. \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\n<\/p>\n
Brown denied the union\u2019s claim of possible service cuts. He said Chief Administrative Officer Crandall Jones is negotiating \u201cin good faith\u201d on the township\u2019s behalf.\n<\/p>\n