Over 300 disgruntled Bucks County employees took to the streets on Sept. 20 to protest cuts to employee health benefits, the removal of retirement packages and stagnated wages.
Members of Service Employees International Union Local 668 organized a strike outside of the Bucks County courthouse in Doylestown, PA.
At their most recent bargaining discussion on Sept. 11 when the union and the county negotiating teams again failed to reach an agreement, SEIU 668 gave official notice of their intent to strike.
The gathered employees represented a wide variety of community services, which included 911, IT, children and youth services, mental health, drug and alcohol support and development programs. Supervisors were called in for the one-day strike to cover the essential administrative functions and ensure the public continued to be served without interruption.
The negotiations between the union and the county have been stalled for over 15 months. In that period, workers across the county have been holding informational pickets and addressing commissioners’ meetings. Despite these efforts, workers have been without a contract for 9 months.
The latest proposal from the county came in July, after their negotiation teams refused to meet with union representatives for two months. The county described it as their “best, last and final” offer. The proposal was rejected by 99 percent of union members due to the county’s insistence on attacking retiree benefits and cutting funds that go towards services like dental, vision, prescription drugs and life insurance by 18 percent.
A statement released by SEIU 668 in July explained that “For months, the union has been engaged in contract negotiations that have been hampered by needless delays and strongarm tactics employed by the Bucks County Negotiating Team.”
Christine Galleones, a social services employee, described the teams’ behaviors as “embarrassing,” saying that she has never seen a situation like this in all of her 28 years working in negotiations.
The seeds of this turmoil were planted back in 2020 when county employees agreed to a small wage increase amid the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic.
Employees were under the impression that their goodwill would be paid for but SEIU 668 Negotiating Team member Heidilyn Hoffmeister said, “That’s not what we’ve been given. The County’s Negotiating Team has instead proposed cutting crucial benefits that we have had for years. They have shown no respect for the work we have done or the dedication we have shown to this community.”
Hoffmeister’s sentiment was shared by the crowd gathered at the strike. One picketer’s sign informed passerby’s of the fact that, in its 48 years of operation, SEIU 668 has never had to strike before, illustrating the severity of the struggle workers have been facing.
The union has been able to win some improvements for its members so far. IT Services Member, Andrew Withers, whose name has been changed to protect his anonymity, complained that, before joining the union, he was earning wages that were “way below the national average” for a person in his job position and with his qualifications.
Multiple employees mentioned being expected to work overtime without pay before the union’s intervention.
However, without an active contract, Withers explained that he and his coworkers have no means to plan for the future. Even long-time administrative employees are unsure about their future with the county, citing fears about the proposed cuts to retirement funds.
Many are being forced to reconsider their healthcare options as well with the proposed coverage losses being extremely detrimental to employees and their families. Many members of the union have been speaking out about their personal experiences to sway the commissioners towards negotiating a compassionate contract.
Stacey Miller, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, is a 4-year employee with the children and youth services department and a union member since she began at the job. As a mother herself, Miller has found it increasingly difficult to support her family with wages that have failed to accommodate inflation rates.
Miller explained that in the course of her job, she provides assistance to low income and underprivileged families through various programs and services. She said, “We’re caring for vulnerable people. We put our own families to the wayside to help the families in our community.” She feels particularly outraged that “we offer these services to the community, but when we need help, the county won’t provide for us.”
At the commissioners meeting on Sept.18, Kristina Decesare was recognized for her 20 years of service in children and youth, behavioral health, and developmental services for the county. She surprised the room when she announced that “Instead of celebrating this milestone, … I will be striking unpaid with my fellow coworkers from SEIU 668.”
Decesare asked the commissioners, “What salary, healthcare and retirement benefits would you accept to put your physical and mental health on the line daily, for decades?”
She goes on to list such instances from her career. “Would you have a table thrown at you while you were pregnant? … Stand in a freezer for 30 minutes during a lockdown? … Would you return to work two days after your child passed away?”
Decesare ends her speech by imploring the commissioners to cooperate with SEIU 668 in negotiating a fair contract to “allow us to continue the great work that this community deserves.” Her words were met by applause.
Decesare and her peers, although sufficiently compelled to maintain the picket line, were not without their anxieties during the 10-hour strike. With the county’s attitude towards the union made obvious by their actions, several strikers admitted to fears about legal repercussions, being blacklisted or blackmailed and even losing their jobs.
Miller explained that in youth and children services, it was made clear to them that if they were to continue the strike for more than a day, their already meager healthcare would be revoked.
Even with threats like these looming over them, the atmosphere at the strike was a generally energetic and optimistic one. Strikers commented that, along with achieving the goals of their union, they hope to demonstrate to the community exactly how their public servants are being treated by their elected officials.
Withers commented that “It’s not just about the money. It’s about collectively working for the people. It’s about respect.”
Steve Catanese, SEIU 668 president, made it clear that the union never wanted it to come to this, but they are determined to fight for their rights, saying in a statement to 6ABC, “We’re here. We’re ready to talk, ready to get a deal done. Instead, we unfortunately have to be on strike today. If they were ready to negotiate without demanding cuts, we’re all right here. We’re about 50 feet away from the building.”
A Bucks County spokesperson released a statement saying “This administration stands ready to continue negotiating to reach a fair salary and benefits package for our valued employees.”
With both sides seemingly willing to return to the table, union members await further discussion to determine the future of their careers.