Upper Mount Bethel Township supervisors reject public work’s contract

The road department union and Upper Mount Bethel Township need to go back to the negotiating table after supervisors voted to deny the proposed contract last Monday night.

Rising health care costs were a point of contention, according to supervisors who voted 3-2 to reject the contract.

There was some debate over the exact amount of the health care increases for the road crew. A $16,000 increase in health care contributions from the township was too much, Supervisor Jerry Geake said.

"I don't think they negotiated enough for the township," Geake said later in the week.

However, township Manager Bob Cartwright said the $16,000 covered the entire township's added contribution and the six-person road department's costs would go up $6,000.

Supervisor David Due also voted to deny the contract. Given the confusion, he didn't feel comfortable voting for a contract until he understood exactly what was involved, he said.

Post-meeting discussions indicated that $6,000 is the accurate amount, according to Due, which he said makes him more comfortable about supporting the contract.

The contract, which would cover 2015, 2016 and 2017, also calls for a salary increase of $25 per week for the road crew members, who make about $42,000 per year, Cartwright said. That salary increase is justified, said Supervisor Dennis Jones, who voted to support the contract.

The UMBT road department is responsible for more than 44 square miles and more than 100 miles of roads, according to Jones. Their responsibilities include snow removal, paving, replacement of street signs, maintaining parks and township facilities and repairs on township-owned equipment, he said.

"These guys are not overpaid," Jones said. "Dollar for dollar, we are getting a good deal."

Most other municipalities hire outside sources for much of the work that the UMBT crew handles in-house, Jones said.

More negotiations will continue in the coming weeks but Jones said he does not feel too much needs to be amended. He plans to have a new contract proposal ready for a vote at next month's supervisors meeting.

Supervisor Joseph Battillo voted against the contract while Supervisor Larry Hallet voted in favor of it.

Source: Lehigh Valley Live