Deal reached

Lorain County Community Action Agency, union reach agreement on new contract

The Lorain County Community Action Agency (LCCAA) and members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)1199, the union that represents employees at the agency, reached a deal on a new three-year contract, according to an agency news release.

The new deal was ratified Jan. 5 by union members, the release said.

The new deal increases the minimum starting pay for union members to $15 an hour, adds vacation time and holidays, and expands retirement benefits.

Under the old deal, the minimum starting pay was set at $8.80.

“Other additions include a generous longevity wage adjustment, expanded retirement benefits and new holidays for Juneteenth — the one economic request the union made — the employee’s birthday and half-day holidays on Good Friday and Election Day,” the release said.

The Community Action Agency is a nonprofit.

It runs the county Head Start and Early Head Start programs, USDA food program, provides rent and mortgage assistance in addition to other social service and training programs and other financial assistance services.

Community Action Agency currently employ 112 members of SEIUU 1199, said LCCAA CEO Jackie Boehnlein.

Talks for a new deal started June 23, 2021, were facilitated by a federal negotiator and conducted virtually.

The old contract expired on Aug. 7.

Contract negotiations broke down in October when union employees accused Community Action Agency negotiators of “dirty dealing.”

The union also ran a very public campaign critical of Boehnlein,

which featured mobile billboards.

Boehnlein said is ready to move forward.

Negotiations with the union historically have been contentious, she said.

“They acrimony was between the union and the agency, not the agency and our employees,” Boehnlein said. “I do believe that now that we have a new agreement, it will allow us to move forward.

“They choose their behavior. But we focus on the mission.”

When asked how she could not take the criticism personally, Boehnlein said, “The mission (of the agency) is more important. I know it sounds corny, but the help that we offer people really matters, and you can’t lose focus on that.”

The union took a victory lap after earning what it called “historic raises” for its membership.

“Members stood together proudly in solidarity and beat back management’s egregious attacks on their rights while gaining historic raises,” said David Scott, an organizer for SEIU 1199. “For many months, members of SEIU and LCCAA displayed great courage and conviction to stand up and demand respect and validations for their dignity at work.”