(HARRISBURG) Last week, workers at the York County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and the Office of Children, Youth, and Families rejected a proposed collective bargaining agreement. By voting down the tentative agreement, workers have authorized a strike. York County workers represented by SEIU Local 668 began bargaining in good faith with the employer more than a year ago.

The Union and the County have continued dialogue, and both parties will return to the table shortly. Workers are demanding a contract that respects the workers and their needs by addressing the economic impact of rising inflation and providing solutions for workplace safety and protection.

Last month, SEIU 668 members Erin Stevens from AAA and Destiney Michael from OCYF attended and spoke at the York County Commissioners’ meeting to tell the Commissioners about the critical work they do serving the county’s most vulnerable populations. The AAA and CYF have been staffed at 40% of their necessary staffing complement since the pandemic began and continue struggling to recruit and retain qualified workers.