Union picketing Job and Family Services

Commissioners release statement on Job and Family Services strike

The members of UAW Local 2192 have hit the picket line.

Kelly Fields, chairperson for the union that represents about 170 social services workers, said the union went on strike at 12:01 a.m., Sept. 25, forming a picket line in front of Lorain County Job and Family Services, 42485 North Ridge Road in Elyria Township.

Fields said the union has been bargaining with Lorain County commissioners since August of last year. The contract for the workers expired

in September 2016.

“Our contract expired on Sept. 15 of 2016, and we filed our strike notice on Sept. 15 of 2017,” she said.

Fields said 150 people were holding signs and shouting at 6 a.m. when management arrived.

But on average, there will be about 30 people walking the line throughout the day, she said.

The feeling amongst the picketers is positive, Fields said.

“The members are pumped,” she said. “They feel like they are standing strong.

“Our members are strong and they are ready to stand until we get what we need.”

Fields declined to comment on specifics of the negotiations, but would say they had not gone well.

“If things were good we wouldn’t be out on a picket line right now,” she said.

The commissioners released an open letter addressing the dispute to the county government Facebook page just before 4 p.m., Sept. 25.

In the letter, which was signed by Commissioners Lori Kokoski, Ted Kalo and Matt Lundy, they highlighted their respect for the union workers and elaborated on the single issue holding the negotiations up.

“They have a tough job and they do it well,” the commissioners wrote. “We respect the collective-bargaining process and have worked within the guidelines with the goal of reaching an agreement.”

The letter explains the single issue holding the negotiations up; specifically, spousal coverage in employee insurance plans.

According to the letter, the plan devised by the county is that if the spouse of a county employee is offered insurance through their job, they cannot be covered by the county worker’s plan. It claims the commissioners offered solutions to allow spouses to maintain coverage on the county plan, but those suggestions were rejected by the union.

The letter alleges the change in coverage of spouses would, “protect all county employees from higher co-pays and higher deductibles while maintaining quality health care coverage.”

According to the letter, 11 other bargaining units have agreed to the change of coverage and an independent “fact-finder” report described the coverage plan as “top of the line and employee cost among the lowest in the state and nationally.”

“The commissioners are committed to working with UAW Local 2192 to reach an agreement,” the letter concluded.