After ten months without a contract, SEIU Local 668 union members at several Bucks County agencies have overwhelmingly approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement that will cover workers’ employment conditions until December 31, 2026. The new contract includes a 10% wage increase over three years, the highest average wage increase for Bucks County SEIU members in three decades. The contract passed with a 96.5% ‘Yes’ vote. The voting period was open to union members from Friday, November 8, through Monday, November 11.
More than three hundred union members held a one-day strike on September 20, rejecting the County’s previous offer which included substantial cuts to the workers’ health and welfare fund. Over several months of bargaining discussions, union members regularly attended County Commissioners’ Meetings, held informational pickets, and demonstrated their solidarity in the workplace.
"We have worked tirelessly to provide Bucks County residents with the public services they deserve. Our members work with some of the most vulnerable members of our community and give their time and energy to serving others. By taking action together as a union, we delivered a contract that respects our members’ work,” stated Christine Galione, SEIU 668 Negotiating Team member.
Despite the County's public statements, members did have to accept a decrease in contributions to their Health & Welfare benefits. However, following the strike, the union was able to reduce the cuts substantially and is hopeful it will minimize impacts on members' healthcare.
"Through difficult economic times like these, where workers have lost ground since the post-pandemic inflation spike, it's incumbent on employers to ensure that they're not allowing their employees to fall behind so they can retain a qualified workforce," said Steve Catanese, President of SEIU Local 668. "Unfortunately, it took Bucks County SEIU 668 members going on strike for the first time in history to win a good wage package and minimize the damage that the County proposed inflicting on the members' benefits."
Following the union's one-day strike and through the end of the negotiations, union leaders at Bucks County Children and Youth were targeted with punitive disciplinary actions for engaging in their legal right to organize and participate in a strike. The union has filed unfair labor practice charges against Bucks County with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to protect members and their right to negotiate fairly without retaliation.
Despite retaliatory actions against workers at Children and Youth Services, members are happy to have fought to achieve a deal that will provide them with a much-needed wage boost after over 10 months without a contract.
“After years of working in this County, I am so proud of my fellow union members who came together and stood shoulder to shoulder to win a strong contract,” remarked Russ Taranto, SEIU 668 Negotiating Team member. "We know that we're going to have to continue to stand together to protect what we have and ensure that Bucks County works for all of us, including its employees and the communities we serve every day."
Bucks County members at the County Court and the Youth Center continue negotiating.
