5 day forecast
PWSA workers reject contract proposal
Share with others:
Blue-collar workers at Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority have voted down a contract proposal, partly because of unhappiness with the agency board's decision to pay $150,000 a month to a management firm.
In a statement, the Pittsburgh Joint Collective Bargaining Committee said the proposal was turned down by every group of PWSA workers: operating engineers, plumbers, stationary engineers, drivers and laborers.
The committee is certified by the National Labor Relations Board to act as the umbrella organization for blue-collar workers employed by the city and authority. It represents about 125 authority employees now making between 16.87 per hour and $25.58 per hour.
In the statement, the committee said voting on a contract proposal took place this week and the results finalized this morning. Without giving details, the committee said workers were disappointed with the wage proposal and were concerned that the authority has decided to spend money on the management firm instead.
In July, the board voted to bring in Veolia Water North America at a cost of $150,000 a month. The firm, which officials said was needed to improve an agency with personnel and operating problems, also has the potential to earn bonuses for meeting performance objectives.
The committee said workers have not taken a strike vote and intend to resume negotiations.
First Published February 1, 2013 10:21 am
