Lorain County JFS workers vote to authorize strike depending on outcome of contract negotiations

A majority of voting members of United Auto Workers Local 2192, representing workers at Lorain County Job & Family Services, authorized a strike Thursday if ongoing contract negotiations with their agency and Lorain County officials aren't resolved. The union has been in contract negotiations with the Board of Commissioners since September, a representative said Friday. The vote does not mean an immediate strike but rather was to "see where members are at" and whether they're willing to go on strike if their demands for wage increases and concerns over healthcare premium increases aren't heard, said Gina Jones, Local 2192 chairperson at Lorain County JFS. Eighty-six percent of those who voted, voted to authorize a strike and are "willing to do so if needed," Jones said. A strike would still have to be authorized and approved by UAW officials, after which the local would issue the county a 10-day strike notice. That hasn't happened yet, Jones said. "It doesn't mean we're not willing to talk by any means," she said. "We're still willing to talk." The union has 142 total members. Chris Cabot, director of Lorain County JFS, said he hadn't had any official communications from the union regarding the strike authorization vote. He said the Board of Commissioners is reviewing a fact-finder's report on pending contract proposals. "We're hopeful, extremely hopeful we'll come to a resolution before (a strike) is necessary," he said. Union members also have yet to vote on the fact-finder's report, Jones said. Lorain County JFS is the countywide social services agency that uses federal and state funding to administer programs including SNAP, WIC, child care, adult protective services, employment and unemployment benefits, child support and other public assistance. Jones said negotiations reached this point because workers' pay is not keeping up with their cost of living. Members are near the bottom of income compared to JFS workers in other counties, she said. "We're just not keeping up," Jones said. County healthcare premiums have increased "roughly 50 percent" in the last five years, she said. That has meant members are skipping meals, dropping their county-provided health insurance and bringing in food for other workers who can't afford groceries. Many workers qualify for the same public assistance programs JFS provides the public, Jones said. Some have taken second jobs or quit for better pay and employment benefits elsewhere, she said. Employee turnover "is at a crisis level," with an estimated 90 employees leaving in the last five years, according to Jones. Caseloads are bigger and workers are burned out, she said. All this harms families who rely on JFS for services, according to Jones. "Our members just don't have other options to survive under these conditions," she said. Cabot said JFS wants to have a happy and healthy workforce — "We value them immensely," he said — but also values its ability to provide services to the community. "Hopefully both sides realize that and come to an agreement," Cabot said. "What's most important is the youth and families we serve and that they continue to get the support and help they need." Commissioner Jeff Riddell said Friday it would be inappropriate to comment on the status of contract negotiations. He said he and fellow commissioners David Moore and Marty Gallagher would likely discuss the fact-finder's report in a closed executive session following their first meeting of the year on Monday. Union members attended the Oct. 10 commissioners' meeting to express their concerns about a proposed 13 percent increase in employee healthcare premium costs. The board approved the increase. The county has a "self-funded" plan, meaning it pays claims by plan participants rather than paying premiums to an insurance company. The union was on strike from September to November 2017 before reaching a new agreement with the county over spousal healthcare coverage. Local 2192 also butted heads with county officials over COVID-19 response and hybrid/remote work policy during the pandemic in 2021. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com