HSC workers unite amid prolonged negotiations despite declining conditions, morale

Behavioral health professionals at Human Services Center (HSC) in New Castle, PA, have been working for 18 months under an expired contract.

Negotiations have been painfully slow with HSC management making a “last, best, and final” offer that proposed the union could not negotiate over wages, bonuses, and starting rates, which was overwhelmingly rejected by members of AFSCME Local 2902.

Since then, HSC management stalled any further negotiations to the point that an Unfair Labor Practice charge was filed by AFSCME with the National Labor Relations Board. While that case is pending, negotiations finally took place again on June 25, which included productive conversations, but the two sides remain far apart on fundamental economic issues.

HSC is a private not-for-profit organization that offers a broad array of behavioral healthcare services and is powered by those AFSCME Local 2902 members, who are the nurses, case managers, therapists, residential workers, clerical, maintenance, and support staff at multiple facilities throughout the area.

As management has drawn out the collective bargaining process, they have chosen to implement certain parts of their rejected final offer, but not all, which is not how this works. This violates labor law and leaves employees unclear on policies and expectations. It is the union’s position that until a new contract is in place, HSC must operate under the one that expired on December 31, 2023.

The workers at HSC are eager to reach a new agreement so they can fully focus on providing vital, life-saving behavioral health services to some of the most vulnerable individuals in the community.

Unfortunately, because of the uncertain state of the contract, the declining conditions at their workplaces, and the culture of fear and intimidation being imposed by HSC’s Chief Operating Officer Paul Lynch, the morale and mental health of the employees – who themselves provide mental health treatment – are suffering greatly. Nonetheless, the workers are staying united and focusing on providing HSC’s critical services, even when their management seems against them.

COO Lynch is also the President of HSC’s Board and a practicing attorney. He owns many properties in the Lawrence County area but last year insulted the downtown community at a City Council meeting. He disparaged unhoused individuals in New Castle – a group of human beings that HSC is meant to serve – while making assumptions about other people living and working in the area.

Lynch has yet to attend a negotiation session on behalf of HSC and is hostile toward the union workforce. Many people in the community question his role as head of HSC when he seems to disdain those employed and served by the organization, meanwhile he allows conditions to decline at HSC facilities to the point of being unsanitary and unsafe.

HSC workers see conditions at their facilities severely degrading. During a recent workplace visit, union representatives observed numerous facilities with leaking ceilings, visible water damage, stained carpets, and unpleasant odors, as well as shoddy and incomplete renovations performed by Lynch and his hired independent contractors. At one residential facility, ductwork and HVAC systems were exposed with dust and dirt visible in a kitchen area. At an apartment building, carpets were caked with dirt, grime, and what appeared to be bodily fluids; that facility has since been cited by the city’s code enforcement.

Local 2902 members want to know why, in addition to HSC being unwilling to invest in its workforce, more funding and resources are not devoted to proper cleaning and upkeep of the facilities.

The workers at HSC did not get into this line of work to make lots of money; they do this because they genuinely care about and want to serve those in need. To be able to do that to the best of their ability, they need to be able to provide for themselves and their families.

We are calling on the community to support us in our struggle. Please contact HSC Corporate Headquarters at (724) 658-3578 or email them at info@humanservicescenter.net.

We are also calling on public officials to intervene before this crisis does even more damage to workers, patients, and the community as a whole. AFSCME is reaching out to elected officials and other local leaders to apply pressure and reach a resolution.

Please join us in urging HSC management to bargain in good faith at the next negotiation session and make an economic proposal that lives up to the invaluable service that these workers provide. Ask them to respect these workers’ rights under the law and their dignity as human beings. Tell them that strong behavioral health services are important to us all and we must support the workers who deliver those services to keep them strong. We also call on HSC to improve cleanliness and general upkeep of their facilities for the sake of all who pass through.

Let’s get back to the bargaining table, make a deal, and focus 100 percent of our energy on the patients and families who rely on us.

Signed Sincerely And In Solidarity By Members Of AFSCME Local 2902:

Alicia Craig, President
Lisa Alexander, Vice President
Alissa Davis, Secretary
Roann Romeo, Treasurer
Harry Allen, Jr.
Anthony Appugliese
Jennifer Bollinger
Kara Brundage
Lynn Deal
John Domenick
Christopher Douglas
Laurie Fisher
Susan Funari
Edward Harter
Tracie Jones
Amelia Magusiak
Barbara McConnell
David Pearson
Keri Pearson
Leslie Savage
Marsha Sniezek
Sheri Trott
Kristy Wansitter
Mykalyn Wilkins