Union rejects layoff offer; is 1-week shutdown coming?

Members rejected the days off without pay before a vote could be taken.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- It appears that the Lawrence County Government Center will close for at least one week before the end of the year.
On Friday, one of Lawrence County's two labor unions rejected the county's offer to spread a layoff over four pay periods. County commissioners had proposed employees take one Friday off every two weeks. Commissioners have said that they will close all operations, except those that are essential such as the jail and 911 center, for one week if the unions reject the idea.
The county is facing a $1.3 million deficit, and county commissioners expect to save about $100,000 by closing government operations for one week.
Nearly 100 members of Construction & amp; General Labor's Union 964 were at Friday's meeting. Workers expressed concerns that by agreeing to take one day off every two weeks their union contract could be opened for renegotiation. The contract now states that they must work five days, 40 hours each week.
Bob Session, union representative, said it would not change the contract.
Didn't vote
Members didn't put the matter to a vote, contending that they opposed the one-day-per-pay-period layoff.
Many said they did not believe county commissioners would follow through with the one-week layoff.
Some said they felt as if they were getting hit twice, being asked to take a day off without pay and paying higher county taxes. Commissioners increased taxes earlier this year.
Session said county employees will be able to apply for unemployment benefits if they are laid off but likely won't see any money. He explained that anyone seeking those benefits must wait one week after a layoff before getting a check.
Commissioners Dan Vogler, Steve Craig and Ed Fosnaught could not be reached to comment after the meeting.
The county's other labor union, American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees, Local 2902, is expected to vote on the proposal Wednesday.