Striking union rips county commissioners

Social Service workers issue statement

As their strike continues, Lorain County social service workers on Sept. 28 fired back at this week’s public statements by the Lorain County commissioners.

The United Auto Workers Local 2192 represents up to 180 workers at the Lorain County Department of Job and Family Services.

A year after their contract expired, the staffers went on strike Sept. 25 because negotiations were at an impasse.

County Commissioners Lori Kokoski, Ted Kalo and Matt Lundy this week published statements about the situation.

The UAW 2192 blasted the commissioners for their “effort to ‘win’ public perception with regard to the strike,” according to a statement from the union on Sept. 28.

“First and foremost, the members of UAW Local 2192 are just regular taxpaying citizens,” said a statement provided by Kelly Fields, chairperson for UAW Local 2192 representing job and family services members.

“We provide an important service to the most vulnerable of our community,” the union said. “We take our jobs very seriously and take pride in the work that we do. The programs we administer are ever changing and we must constantly adapt to new rules and regulations.”

The union also touched on the health insurance provision that led to the standstill in contract talks.

The issue is known as spousal carve out or spousal surcharge, relating to how the spouses of workers may get health insurance through the plans provided to the county workers.

The UAW members said the county commissioners have not provided information about health plan costs.

“Think of it this way, it would be like going to buy a car and the salesman handing you the keys and sending you the final bill at a later date,” the union statement said. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

The UAW also criticized the county commissioners for using a Morning Journal advertisement and the Lorain County Ohio Government page on Facebook to comment on the situation.

“Obviously, the image of these career politicians is more important than responsibly spending our tax dollars or using the staff in the agency to continue to administer those much needed benefits,” the workers’ statement said.