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Upsetting to me--please pray Hello big church members, I just wanted to post a little of what has been happening in my life lately, one of the reasons why I have been too busy to be on the site much. Just the other night I was rallying with a large handful of other county employees before a council meeting where we were to go in and speak out about being without a raise for so long. To give you some background as of the 19th of December I will be working in the county tax office for one year, and only making $9.759 an hour, which is below the lowest my job description should be paid....(I will not and can not even begin to give the "long" list of requirements of my job on a daily basis, just to let you know how ridiculous it all is)...okay imagine even a 10% increase, which is $1.00 about, and I am still below what my job description should be paid---imagine my anger and anxiety over this whole ridiculous situation. It will also be taking longer to wait for a raise because next week the union representatives will say no again to the county's final proposal. When we rallied into the executive's office he flat out said he didn't want to see us or talk to us, even though the majority of the workers we represent (including 911 operators) keep the county working. If you can read what else is going on below and keep us in prayer, pray for this man and the council members to do what is "right" I would greatly appreciate it. Going to my job with all the hostility inside all employees is so frustrating, and even though I know God sent me here for a reason, I'm not sure what that reason would be and if I'm still supposed to wait it out or move on to something different. If I can only go in and not get so worked up over these issues, but it is difficult indeed. Thank you, and I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday. Doree Why Are Northampton County Employees so Mad? Tonight, Northampton County employees will rally outside the courthouse after work, and then march into to county council chambers to demand fair treatment. Why are they so mad? You'd be mad, too. Here's just some things that have happened in the past four years. 1. Over 100 positions were eliminated, and 40 workers were pink-slipped on Northampton County's Black Friday, February 6, 2004. 2. Those that remained have seen no payraises for nearly four years, and the layoffs mean they do more work for less money. 3. Although county employees have seen no pay increases, inflation has sky-rocketed in the Lehigh Valley. The consumer price index in the Lehigh Valley rose a whopping seven per cent in 2005, the largest annual increase ever measured in the 22-year history of The Morning Call/Kamran Afshar Consumer Price Index. 4. New employees like Director of Administration John Conklin have been hired at astronomical salaries, but the rank and file are ignored. 5. County council just gave its staff 18-20% pay increases, while doing nothing for the county's remaining employees. 6. In August, county council very nearly gave itself a $2,500 payraise, a 35% increase, and would have succeeded had it not been vetoed by county exec Stoffa. 7. Judges have been provided plush new quarters on a "private" floor in a public courthouse while many rank and file employees have seen their working space shrink from the supposed "expansion." 8. It is nearly impossible to park anywhere near the courthouse, and until recently, the county actually was considering charging its underpaid employees for the privilege of parking. 9. Many row office workers became ill from mold, dust and Fiberglas particles accompanying the new construction, and no one cared until state health inspectors were involved. 10. Employees with frozen wages watched incredible waste as perfectly good furniture and equipment were "thrown away." 11. Employees with frozen wages see another, and often mentioned, example of government waste in the form of the court's garish wind-sensitive fountain and accompanying landscaping, complete with inlaid irrigation pipes. 12. When county council timidly suggested that extravagances like that fountain or the marble floors be eliminated, judges paraded en masse before county council to demand every penny allocated, and then some. But they made no similar pitch for the lifeblood of this county - its workforce. (I wonder if they're busy tonight). 13. While judges enjoy their catered lunches in a private dining room, the cafeteria for the masses has been taken away and employees must eat in hallways or at their desks. 14. Some rank and file employees, even those with 12 or 13 years of seniority, seek some form of assistance with home heating and for food. 15. Courthouse workers with serious safety concerns, like prison guards, have previously been denied the right to address council because some of what they discuss might be part of labor negotiations. This is a blatant violation of the Sunshine Act, which gives any resident the right to address council on any matter of concern. I expect council to try to shoo workers away tonight, too. But they have a right to speak. And council has an obligation to listen. After three years, it's time somebody listens. This mess was inherited by both John Stoffa and our current county council. But they've had nearly a year now to resolve what should be the county's top priority. It's becoming their mess. And by the way, the rumored 3.3% offer is a joke that actually amounts to a pay cut. If the county can raise taxes to buy some swamp land or build roads in Bethlehem and Wind Gap for fat cat developers, it can pay its employees a living wage. In all my dealings with county executive John Stoffa, he has been fair and honorable. He wants to do what's right. And our new county council is union friendly. Charles Dertinger is a third generation union electrician. Lamont McClure positioned AFL-CIO union members to hand out pamphlets during the last congressional campaign. Diane Neiper and John Cusick both belong to teachers' unions. Just do it. Written by Bernie O'Hare 
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i will add you to my list as well sister, cheers and God bless you May the Lord bless you and keep you
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12/9/2006 4:05 pm |
I have worked for a company that was both union and non-union. One thing I found out, there is not much difference in the administration. We really have to weigh out the situation; first for Christ's sake, and then for our benefit. If you think that it is worth the fight, then stay. If you think that it is worth the wait, then wait patiently upon the Lord, and carefully listen to His council. I used to be a union committee-person in at a former company, and believe you, me, there is corruption in both the union and the company. Put your trust in God...I too have sent up a prayer for you. You would think that employers would see the importance of their workers, but, unfortunately, some do not.. God's strength and Grace is Sufficient
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