MABS board works towards resolving union greivance
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah Offices.
SHENANDOAH – The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah (MABS) board took a step towards resolving a union grievance at their reorganization meeting last week.
The board, which still exists to tie up loose ends following the sale of its water system assets to Aqua Pennsylvania, met at borough hall Thursday to reorganize and take action on three items.
MABS Solicitor Matt Rossi said the grievance wasn’t received until after the sale.
“We had anticipated having to deal with the union from the very beginning, and for whatever reason, the union didn’t send us a notice that they wanted to negotiate until two months after the sale was done,” Rossi said upon questioning from Joe Gawrylik, borough councilman. “There’s not a lot we can do to push the union [to the negotiating table.]”
Rossi said no one on the board wants to drag on the wind up process.
Gawrylik questioned why MABS hadn’t gotten together with the union, which Rossi cited the delay in filing a grievance and laying out concerns on the union’s part.
“It’s not all that extensive. I think we’re probably going to have the majority of it settled today,” Rossi said, with the remainder left for negotiation.
Some of the demands, Rossi said, were moot because they either are provided by Aqua, were already fulfilled by MABS, or were not provided by MABS at all.
One demand pertained to bridging an employee who was four months short of being eligible for pension benefits.
The union also wanted three weeks severance pay for distribution and plant employees, and four weeks for clerical staff.
Board Vice-Chairman Leo Pietkiewicz made a motion to present the union a counter offer, seconded by board member Frank Carduff.
Rossi said that the counter would decline 401k hardship loans; approve bridging the employee who was four months short; approve providing letters of recommendation; approve covering the cost of recertification for any certifications not provided by Aqua; note that remaining vacation days have already been paid out; decline life insurance and workers comp as life was not provided by MABS and Aqua provides workers comp; and counter severance pay with half the union’s request.
In other business, Rossi said a delinquent account from 2003 had been paid. MABS collected $12,754.08 via a municipal lien after the property was sold.
MABS also approved the final transfer of vehicles and real-estate to the borough.
“One of the main things is that, among those real estate assets that will be coming over will be the wind farm,” Rossi said.
The Shenandoah Sentinel was the ONLY local news source at this meeting. If you find value in our reporting and in knowing what YOUR local elected leaders are doing, PLEASE consider contributing to our efforts via Patreon or Buy Me A Coffee.
About Author
