Youngstown Council accepts report on USW contract

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

City council voted unanimously Thursday to accept a fact finder’s report between the city and the United Steelworkers Union Local 2163-6.

The union represents about 65 wastewater employees.

The union’s contract expired Dec. 31, and negotiations have been ongoing since then, said city Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello.

The union had not accepted the fact finder’s report as of Thursday, she said.

Details of the report were not available Thursday.

If the union rejects the report, negotiations will continue, and if those talks stall, the city could implement its changes and the union has the right to strike, Guglucello said.

Council’s special meeting Thursday likely was the last for Guglucello, who will retire Aug. 31 after more than five years as law director.

She began working in the city law department in 1998.

Council is on summer recess and will resume regular meetings Sept. 21.

“It’s been a pleasure. ... I will miss you, and I’m still a city resident,” Guglucello told council.

What will she do in her retirement?

“I intend to sleep in late,” she said, laughing.

Council also welcomed two new members, T.J. Rodgers, 2nd Ward; and Nate Pinkard, 3rd Ward; a new president, Jamael Tito Brown; and a new mayor, Charles Sammarone.

Councilman Paul Drennen, D-5th, wished Guglucello good luck and congratulated the new members of council and the mayor.

“I honestly have seen improvements as far as services; I know things are getting done quickly,” Drennen said to Sammarone. “I’m not saying it wasn’t good before, but now ... you’re doing what you said you were going to do as far as accountability.”