Credit: SEIU
The employees had been without a contract for nine months
Several hundred Bucks County government employees will receive a 10 percent wage increase over three years following a tentative contract agreement with the commissioners.
The contract impacts approximately 500 members of SEIU Local 668, who work in 9-1-1, Children and Youth Services, the Area Agency on Aging, the IT Department, and other offices. The employees had been without a contract for nine months.
Union officials announced on Nov. 26 that the agreement, which runs until December 31, 2026, marks the highest average wage increase in 30 years for the union’s members in the county.
The deal was overwhelmingly approved by the workforce with 96.5 percent in favor.
The commissioners will next need to vote to approve the deal.
The exact financial impact and full terms of the deal were not released by the county.
“The county is pleased to have reached a three-year agreement with our employees represented by SEIU Local 668. The county values the contributions of each employee and we look forward to continuing to work together serve the residents of Bucks County,” said James O’Malley, a county spokesperson.
Tensions boiled over in September when several dozen union members picketed outside the Bucks County administration building in Doylestown Borough, leading to the first employee strike the county government has experienced. Members also spoke about their desire for a new contract at several public meetings.
Following the strike, the union negotiated to reduce planned cuts to health and welfare benefits, according to union officials.
Commissioners Chairperson Diane Ellis-Marseglia previously stated that the county had made fair offers, but claimed union leadership had not communicated the details of the government’s proposals to their members.
In the weeks since the strike, the union has accused the county of targeting union leaders at the Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services with punitive disciplinary actions. The union has filed unfair labor practice charges against Bucks County with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.
“After years of working in this County, I am so proud of my fellow union members who came together and stood shoulder to shoulder to win a strong contract,” remarked Russ Taranto, SEIU 668 Negotiating Team member. “We know that we’re going to have to continue to stand together to protect what we have and ensure that Bucks County works for all of us, including its employees and the communities we serve every day.”
Christine Galione, another member of the negotiating team, added: “We have worked tirelessly to provide Bucks County residents with the public services they deserve. Our members work with some of the most vulnerable members of our community and give their time and energy to serving others. By taking action together as a union, we delivered a contract that respects our members’ work.”
Negotiations continue for union members in the county’s court system and the youth center, which is the county’s juvenile detention center.
