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Northampton County Human Services Workers Push to Protect Essential Services

October 23, 2025

After weeks of member pushback, SEIU 668 received word that Northampton County would not move forward with furloughs this year.

In early October, Northampton County announced that about 175 human services employees represented by SEIU Local 668 could be furloughed beginning October 20 if state reimbursements were not released. County Executive Lamont McClure called the furloughs a “last resort,” saying the county would try to preserve essential operations even under severe funding pressure. County officials said they relied on state reimbursements to cover most of the payroll for human services positions, which include child protection, mental health, addiction recovery, senior care, and disability support.

The workers at risk are the people who respond when children need protection, when families face crisis, and when older adults or people with disabilities require help to stay safe. Their work often determines whether residents find stability or fall through the cracks.

As local and state media began covering the potential furloughs, SEIU Local 668 President Steve Catanese made clear that the union rejected the idea that these cuts were unavoidable. He said the county had options, including short-term borrowing, to keep services intact until state funds were restored. “Northampton County does not have to do this,” Catanese told reporters. “There are measures the county could be taking to prevent this from happening.”

Chief shop steward Kezzy Johnson said members were angry and anxious that their jobs and clients had been pulled into a political fight over which they had no control. “If we are all gone, who is going to help the people that are the most vulnerable in this county?” she asked. County Controller Tara Zrinski also urged county leaders to explore every available alternative to protect both workers and residents.

As the budget impasse continued, SEIU Local 668 met with county officials, collected accounts from affected workers, and worked with community allies to raise awareness of what was at stake. The union reaffirmed its commitment to defending essential programs and the people who provide them.

Last week, that commitment paid off. After weeks of member pushback, SEIU 668 received word that Northampton County would not move forward with furloughs this year. In an email to members, President Steve Catanese, Staff Director Karmella Sams, and Business Agent Greg Riedlinger wrote: “We fought back – and we won. Following weeks of pushback, at last week’s Northampton County Council, SEIU 668 members spoke up and continued to present our case and fight against needless furloughs across the Northampton DHS.” They noted that County Executive Lamont McClure confirmed to Council that “based on our cash position today, we should not need to implement furloughs through the end of the year.”

While the county has not rescinded its furlough notice, this statement means that workers and services will continue through 2024 without disruption. The union continues to call for transparency and long-term solutions from both the County and Harrisburg to ensure that essential services are never again put at risk due to political gridlock.

When workers stand together, they protect not only their own livelihoods but the well-being of the communities they serve. This moment has shown again that when we fight, we win.

ICYMI: Recent Coverage of the Northampton County Human Services Situation