Friday, April 21, 2000
Deerfield employees petition to unionize
BY Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DEERFIELD TWP. — A small group of township road workers has petitioned for union representation.
Deerfield Township officials recently received word that seven members of the township's road crew are seeking representation from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 100.
The Teamsters filed a petition with the State Employment Relations Board this month announcing their intent to organize a collective bargaining unit.
Township trustees say they are surprised that some township employees might be disgruntled enough to start a union.
"Unsettling time'
“I don't understand what they think they want or can get by doing this,” said Trustees President Bill Morand. “These guys have been treated tremendously by the board of trustees in my opinion, and it's an insult to think they need a union.”
Efforts bythe Enquirer to reach members of the road crew were unsuccessful.
Township Administrator Hazel Dotson said she has been meeting with road crew employees in an effort to dissuade them from unionizing and settle any differences.
“The one thing I am hearing right now from this group is that they want job security,” said Mrs. Dotson. “Of course, a union doesn't guarantee that.”
She said some employees are “going through an unsettling time” as unprecedented growth and development in Deerfield Township has forced township officials to make some policy changes. One such change came when administrators told road workers they could no longer work double time on Sundays. Township officials also decreed that in order to qualify for double time, employees would need to work more than 12 hours.
Election sought
Trustees have hired Jim Lawrence, an attorney with Frost & Jacobs in Cincinnati, to provide legal advice on the matter. Mr. Lawrence said the next logical step in the unionization process will be for those seeking representation to hold an election.
“At that time, the members would vote on whether to form a union or not,” Mr. Lawrence said. “If a majority votes in favor of a union, then there would be an obligation on behalf of the township to bargain with that unit.”
He said the election could take place as early as two weeks or as late as June. But township leaders are hoping the vote won't take place.
“Hopefully we can all just sit down at the table and work these things through,” Mrs. Dotson said.
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