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Workers issue strike notice in Columbiana Co.
By D.A. WILKINSON
LISBON
Workers at the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities have issued a notice that they will go on strike April 23.
The strike vote, taken Thursday, comes one day after members of the Columbiana County Developmental Disabilities Employees Association presented material to the county commissioners on contract talks.
Steve Cline, a spokesman for the board, said the board will issue a statement today.
The board and the workers are trying to negotiate a new pact. The last contract expired Dec. 31, 2008.
The association represents about 106 workers, including nurses, custodians, secretaries, clerical and workshop specialists.
The board, which provides education and training for about 400 people, has a contract in place with its teachers.
The commissioners would have to approve the contract.
Workers adopted a fact finder’s recommendation, but the board rejected it.
The fact finder recommended a 2 percent raise each year for 2010, 2011 and 2012. There also would be a $400 signing bonus for approving the contract.
“We have bargained in good faith for a year and a half,” Cindy Collins, a union spokeswoman, said in a press release. “While we regret the necessity of issuing a strike notice, we feel it is the only option left open to us to bring these negotiations to a conclusion.”
Collins said the workers will conduct informational picketing Saturday at the board offices. No time was announced.