Westmoreland Laurels & Lances
On the "Watch List": Union statists. Service Employees International Union locals 668 and 1199P, representing about 1,000 Westmoreland County workers, have rejected a contract offer that stipulates 8.5 percent raises over five years, along with a provision for workers to pay a small percentage of their salaries for health insurance (up to 2 percent after three years). The days of free health care are over in Westmoreland County, as evidenced in prior negotiations with another union. The sooner unions recognize this, the sooner all sides can come to an accord that's fair to county workers and to the good folks who pay their wages.
Laurel: To the Westmoreland County Transit Authority. Members didn't roll over for the lawyer of its former bus operator, who says the company is owed more than $500,000 after both sides agreed to terminate their contract. At issue are allegations of neglected bus maintenance -- in one case, a 3-year-old bus with 37,000 miles on it that hadn't gotten an oil change. If there are damages to the authority's fleet, then an assessment needs to be made before dime-one is paid to the former contractor.
Lance: To James E. Casorio Jr. Penn-Trafford school officials say they've been unable to meet with the Democrat state representative from North Huntingdon Township despite repeated requests to discuss state funding. Instead, Mr. Casorio placed an ad in area newspapers claiming the district has received nearly a 70 percent increase in funding since 1992-93. Separate from the funding issue is the inherent obligation of lawmakers to be available to their constituents -- in this case, quite a number of them. Hey, Jimmy, that comes with the job of being a state "representative."
Congratulations:
