Few back forced pact
Most of city
council against imposing deal on street employees
Staff writer
YOUNGSTOWN — A majority of Youngstown council members say they will vote against legislation next week that would give the mayor power to declare an “ultimate impasse” in negotiating a contract with the street department union and forcibly impose the city’s “last, best and final offer.”
Council members Julius Oliver, D-1st Ward; Samantha Turner, D-3rd Ward; Mike Ray, D-4th Ward; and Lauren McNally, D-5th Ward, told The Vindicator on Thursday that they don’t support the ordinance sponsored by Mayor Jamael Tito Brown.
Councilwoman Basia Adamczak, D-7th Ward, said she is “leaning toward voting in favor of it.”
Council members Jimmy Hughes, D-2nd Ward, and Anita Davis, D-6th Ward, declined to comment.
Ray and McNally said this was the first time they’ve ever heard of a request by the administration for council to support legislation to impose terms and conditions of employment on a union.
“That’s not negotiating in good faith,” McNally said. “I want to leave the door open on negotiating. I’m a ‘no’ vote. Go back to the bargaining table rather than putting your fist down on the table and making demands.”
McNally said it’s not unusual for there to be disagreements in negotiating union contracts.
“What is uncommon is for one side to say, ‘I’m done,'” she said. “I’m shocked at that. I’m shocked the administration is doing that.”
Ray said: “I wouldn’t be in favor of this legislation. I...
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