Philadelphia Corrections Officers Win Arbitration Ruling

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.afscme.org/publications/27251.cfm

November 4, 2009

“We knew that if we kept on fighting, we would win,” says Lorenzo North, a corrections officer and president of Local 159 (Pennsylvania District Council 33). North and the nearly 2,000 corrections officers in the City of Philadelphia recently got another boost when the Commonwealth Court ruled that the COs are entitled to reach new agreements through an arbitration process.

For years, workers – who oversee the adults and minors in custody – have settled contracts through collective bargaining even though they – like police and firefighters – are public safety workers who are not permitted to strike.

Last year, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board determined that the city had engaged in an unfair labor practice by refusing arbitration with AFSCME Local 159.

The city appealed the board decision and negotiated contracts with the Council, even offering a $1,000 pay bonus to all 15 locals. Local 159 declined to accept the offer so the members could continue their legal fight.

Now that the city has been rebuffed twice, its only recourse is to appeal to the state Supreme Court.

“I hope the city abides by this ruling and doesn’t waste any more funds fighting this,” adds North. “We need to move on and get our contract settled.”

District Council 33 has supported Local 159’s demands and urged city officials to act promptly.

[paulsby]

1. nice

my union has appealed to arbitrators several times.