Labor board dismisses competing complaints

ELYRIA — A six-month strike involving Lorain County Job and Family Services workers moved into the political arena Tuesday as union members rallied outside the county administration building and announced plans to campaign against Commissioner Jeff Riddell.

The rally came the same day the State Employment Relations Board dismissed unfair labor practice complaints filed by both the county and United Auto Workers Local 2192.

The two sides disagree about what the dismissals mean.

County commissioners said the decision shows they negotiated in good faith and have no legal obligation to continue bargaining. The union maintains that commissioners should return to negotiations.

More than 100 Job and Family Services employees have been on strike since Feb. 18 after the county and union failed to agree on a new three-year contract. The UAW describes the walkout as the longest public-sector strike in Ohio history.

Union targets commissioner

Union leaders announced during the Aug. 25 rally that they would support Democrat Carolyn White, who is challenging Republican Riddell in the November election.

UAW Local 2192 unit chair Gina Jones said the union plans to support candidates who will address conditions within Job and Family Services.

“The public needs to know that that county agency is not running well,” Jones told Ideastream Public Media.

Riddell was unavailable for comment following the rally. Commissioner David Moore characterized the gathering as a Democratic political event and said the county would not resume negotiations.

“The last and best offer is what is on the table,” Moore told Ideastream.

Other Democratic candidates attending the rally included Mike Baker, a candidate for Ohio’s 52nd House District; John Kulewicz, a candidate for Ohio attorney general; and Brian Poindexter, a candidate for Ohio’s 7th Congressional District.

Sides dispute state action

In a statement released after the rally, commissioners said the state employment board rejected what they called the union’s “unfounded allegations.”

Commissioners said the decision confirms that county representatives negotiated in good faith, an impasse was reached and there is no legal requirement to bargain further.

However, Spectrum News reported that the state board dismissed complaints filed by both the union and the county.

The state board would not discuss what occurred during confidential mediation, according to Ideastream.

Commissioners said their final offer includes a 12% wage increase over three years, changes to entry-level and maximum pay rates and a bonus program allowing workers to earn an additional 1% by meeting attendance requirements.

The union has said it would accept the 12% increase if the county added $1 an hour to employees’ base pay.

Union representatives say some Job and Family Services employees earn less than $30,000 annually and that low wages have contributed to workers leaving the agency. Union members also have raised concerns about health insurance costs.

“We should be able to afford to feed our families,” Jones told Spectrum News during the rally.

Commissioners said the union’s final proposal exceeded agreements reached with other county bargaining units. They also said union members authorized a strike before commissioners presented their final offer and that union leaders never submitted that offer to the full membership for a vote.

The county’s offer remains available, but commissioners said formal bargaining has ended. They called on union leaders to encourage members to return to work and discuss how the proposed compensation changes would be administered.

Union leaders said workers will remain on strike until the county offers what they consider fair compensation.

Job and Family Services remains open during the strike, although officials and residents have reported delays and backlogs in programs providing food, medical, child care and other assistance.

Mother sues over daughter’s school release