Union difference means more time with family in Somerset County
Members of AFSCME Local 471 in Somerset County negotiated and overwhelmingly ratified a powerful collective bargaining agreement that improved conditions for new and senior employees alike throughout a wide range of departments.
This victory comes after what began as contentious negotiations with revolving sets of both county commissioners and union member negotiators.
A local election changed the lineup of commissioners while the AFSCME bargaining team saw some retirements and promotions, but according to Local 471 member Levi Wasielewski who was there for the whole process, they always had a good team that focused on doing what was best for workers across all the many departments they represent.
Local 471 members Brian Ishman (left) and Levi Wasielewski (right) display their AFSCME green at the Somerset County Office Building.
“We aren’t solely centered on our own departments. We’re focused on everyone at the county and getting a good deal for everyone. So that was a big thing,” said Levi, who has worked in the Tax Assessment Department for two years.
Ultimately, the workers among other gains secured 19 percent in wage increases over three years, an additional personal day, more vacation for senior employees, higher starting rates for new employees, and a provision allowing new employees to start accruing vacation after their 90-day probationary period whereas before they had to wait six months.
In making these gains, the union members on the bargaining team also defeated efforts by management to increase employee insurance deductibles, take away personal days, and increase the work week from 37.5 to 40 hours.
AFSCME Local 471 member Brian Ishman has worked in Somerset County’s 911 Department for seven years and sees these contract gains as vital to ensuring they get high quality candidates to work in such a vital department.
“We in 911 are the first line of defense when somebody is having a bad day. Our biggest thing is we remain calm even when the caller is not – whether your house is on fire, your grandmother’s not breathing, or a baby’s coming into the world, we are going to be there with a level head to get you the help you need,” Brian said.
“With the increased pay and increased vacation, we are getting better quality of job candidates. Before, we weren’t getting the best. When people see the higher wages, they’re more inclined to apply, and it’s going to make our jobs a lot easier.”
AFSCME Local 471 members make Somerset County happen!
Levi echoes the fact that more pay and time off are very important to people, including himself.
“Personally, for me, I did have a second job. I have a daughter who’s now eight months old. I was able to stop working the second job because of the raise that we are getting,” Levi said.
“It also pays because I’m originally born and raised in Erie, so I do like to travel home on some weekends. Now I have more time to take a Friday off and make a long weekend and go up to spend time with my family.”
Through this process, Levi, Brian, and their fellow AFSCME members have seen the union difference up close.
“You know, when I started in this county two years ago, I wasn’t in the union. My position was a union member position, but I wasn’t paying dues. I signed up to become a dues-paying member, and I got on the negotiating team, took the steward training, and now I’m able to help fight for this contract and help work out the bones of it,” Levi said.
“When you join the union, you can have a voice. You can come to these negotiations and fight for what you want to get. You can get like-minded people together to fight for it together, because we all know the masses get more done than one.”
Local 471 members serve their county’s communities through their work in the Maintenance Department, Children & Youth Services, Area Agency on Aging, 911, Tax Assessment/Claims Offices, Recorder of Deeds, Voter Registration Office, Planning Commission, Treasurer’s Office, Prothonotary Office, Register of Wills, Clerk of Courts, District Attorney’s Office, and the Sheriff Department.
Congratulations to Local 471 for this huge contract victory that will greatly benefit both the employees and citizens of Somerset County for years to come!