Union official won’t step down

Photo

Ivan Maldonado

By Harold Gwin

The union vice president said he’s filling in until Ivan Maldonado’s return.

YOUNGSTOWN — The president of the Association of Classified Employees union at Youngstown State University has not stepped down from office and apparently has no intention of doing so.

“Ivan Maldonado is still our President,” wrote Frank Betsa, ACE vice president, on a “Some things you need to know” entry on the ACE Web site addressed to the nearly 400 union members.

“Given the recent events, I want to assure all of you that your union leadership is continually moving forward in addressing your concerns and protecting your rights,” Betsa wrote.

As for Maldonado’s presidency, Betsa wrote, “I am merely acting on his behalf for daily tasks and for his committee obligations in order to ensure the continuation of our progress until his return.”

Things are proceeding normally, he told the membership, pointing out that the hiring committees for three ACE positions have been created, the Distinguished Service Award committee is moving forward, grievances are continuing to be processed and heard and another request has been made to restart the Classification Review Committee.

“We will be having a chapter meeting in the very near future where more details can be given and you[r] questions will be answered to the best of our ability. Until then, stay united,” he urged.

Maldonado, 41, of Boardman, a YSU payroll department employee, was arraigned on one misdemeanor count of menacing in municipal court Wednesday and remains free on his own recognizance.

He is accused of making threatening comments to a 42-year-old female ACE employee over the circulation of a letter of agreement signed by him and the former YSU chief human resources officer regarding the job of a third ACE member.

The university placed Maldonado on administrative leave with pay March 13 after the criminal complaint was filed against him, and he has been banned from campus.

The university’s action against him prompted ACE to file an unfair labor practice charge against YSU with the State Employment Relations Board, alleging that the action against Maldonado and the union are part of an ongoing and concerted effort to discredit and neutralize the union leadership.

gwin@vindy.com