Westmoreland County commissioners expected to ratify labor contract with local government workers

Westmoreland County commissioners are expected to ratify a four-year labor contract Thursday, ending what has been a yearlong stalemate with nearly 900 local government workers.

Members of Service Employees International Union Local 668 and Healthcare Pennsylvania this week approved the latest tentative deal struck by negotiators. Union members in October and this month had rejected previous proposals.

The new contract calls for union members to receive 1 percent raises retroactive to Dec. 1 and pay hikes of 1.5 percent in 2017, 2 percent in 2018 and 2.25 percent in 2019.

“It's a fair contract for both the employees and taxpayers,” said Gina Cerilli, commission chairwoman.

No figure on total cost of the new contract was immediately available, though commissioners are not expected to increase taxes when they adopt the 2017 budget Thursday.

Union officials said the new contract ensures workers receive raises, limits increases they pay for insurance premiums, prevents changes to overtime rules and bars the county from subcontracting staff at Westmoreland Manor, the county's nursing home.

“I'm relieved we were able to settle a contract that ruled out the possibility of our jobs getting outsourced to the lowest bidder,” said Mike Harenski, a dietary worker at Westmoreland Manor and a member of the Healthcare Pennsylvania negotiating team. “Westmoreland County needs good jobs that can support a family, and seniors and taxpayers need reliable, quality services they can depend on.”

The unions represent Manor nurses and support staff as well as courthouse maintenance and clerical workers, public works road crews, 911 dispatchers and Area Agency on Aging caseworkers.

Union members had been working without a contract since the last deal expired at the end of 2015.

Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-830-6293 or rcholodofsky@tribweb.com.