DPW Union Hopes to Settle 'Long Overdue Contract'

Madison Residents,

We ask for your consideration in an effort to settle a long overdue contract. The employees of the Borough's Department of Public Works are the only group that still does not have a contract in place for the term Jan 1, 2010 through Dec 31, 2013. After many attempts to negotiate our contract we are asking for your intervention.

All employees healthcare plans were changed through the State Healthcare Reform, saving the Borough money, and increasing the cost to the employee through percentage contributions and copays while coverage was less.

Other union contracts were settled, some through arbitration awards and others with incentives, which resulted in an average $2,500 loss to the employee over their 4 year contract.  Only our group has been asked or told to settle our contract at a cost to us of almost twice that amount.  Our workforce has been decreased by over 20%.  Some of our work is being subcontracted while our workforce attends to special interest projects rather than maintenance.  The  subcontracted work, we feel, could be done at a savings to the Borough if handled inhouse.

Positions and titles have been modified, as they have in other departments, but only without compensation in ours.  A new entry level is also being requested by the Borough at a 40% decrease in the starting salary for our department.

Historically, the Borough has settled contracts with the same cost of living adjustment, across all contracts.  Concessions in each group contract were relevant to individual classifications and titles.  We feel as though no good faith effort was made or mutual respect was given to us by the Borough and this appears very personal when looking at the net differences.

We simply ask to be treated fairly.  Not long ago the Borough Administrator was "treated unfairly" and public outpouring rectified the situation.  That is why we are appealing to the public.  We asked for an explanation as to why our group was targeted to receive less.  We have spoken to the Mayor and Council and have sent letters addressing our concerns.  To date we have not received any response, or even an acknowledgement, of those concerns. 

We thank you for your time and interest in this matter, responses can be sent to:
DPWemployees@yahoo.com , or The Mayor and Council

Thank you,
The 23 Public Works Department Employees for the Borough of Madison, IBT 469

James Finelli, Shop Steward
Daniel DeBiasse  Kris MacDougall, Assist Shop Stewards