Saturday, July 01, 2000
County aghast at contract
Butler officials suspect engineer is taking revenge
By Steve Kemme
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — Butler County officials blasted County Engineer Dean Foster on Friday for fashioning what they called a “sweetheart deal” with the union representing 50 of his employees.
Within hours after reading the contract Friday, the angry county commissioners filed a motion in common pleas court asking for a restraining order to block the contract.
Judge Keith Spaeth will listen to arguments at a hearing on Monday.
The new contract contains extraordinary benefits and bonuses that could cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, said Commissioner Mike Fox. Until Friday, he and other county officials had seen only the wage portion of the con tract.
Mr. Fox accused Mr. Foster of using the contract to take revenge against the commissioners for criticizing his management practices, and against the Butler County Republican Party for refusing to endorse him for re-election this year.
Mr. Foster, county engineer since 1994, is not seeking re-election because the Republican Party endorsed Greg Wilkens, who is running unopposed.
“This is a betrayal of the public trust and a kick in the head to the taxpayers of the county,” Mr. Fox said. “It's a very expensive temper tantrum by the engineer.”
Mr. Foster's office said he was not available for comment Friday. Chris Petrocy, spokesman for the engineer's office, did not return The Enquirer's phone calls.
Teamsters Local 100 represents the county engi neer's road crews, mechanics, inspectors and clerks.
Troy Stapleton, business representative with Teamsters Local 100, said, “We sat down and bargained in good faith. It's unfortunate the commissioners are taking this stand.”
Charles Martin, the chief negotiator for the engineer's office, said the benefits and bonuses are fair compensation.
“It's very hazardous work, and the compensation is in line with police and law enforcement,” he said. “The risk involved and the consequences of error determine the value of their job.”
Some of the contract provisions that angered county officials are:
• Butler County now contributes 13.55 percent of the employees' gross salary into their retirement fund, and the employees pay 8.5 percent. On Jan, 1, 2001, the county must also pay half of the employees' portion, and on Jan. 1, 2002, it must pay the full amount.
• For the first time, the county will be required to staff each snow-removal truck with two employees. Any employee who drives a snow-removal truck alone must be paid an extra $5 per hour.
• Employees who work less than a half-hour past quitting time are entitled to at least two hours of overtime pay.
• All employees receive a $300 contract signing bonus.
• For every employee in Teamsters Local 100 who is laid off, two other employees outside that union must be laid off.
• The county engineer will not be allowed to reduce his work force without the union's consent.
“In my view, no responsible management negotiator would ever agree to these kinds of provisions,” said Doug Duckett, county personnal director.
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