Destroying Worker Protections
We’ve gotten word that on January 15 at 7:00 p.m. the Parma Town Board will hold a public hearing (at the Town Hall) regarding an “impasse” with the Highway Department workers, who are represented by the local union UNITE-HERE.
According to sources close to negotiations, Parma Town Supervisor Rick Lemcke has long held a desire to rid the workers of the protections they get from the union. The problem, according to these sources, is Lemcke’s long held desire to rid the town of it’s elected Superintendent of Highways, in favor of an appointed head of a newly created Department of Public Works. By breaking the Union, Lemcke feels he can drive a wedge between the Highway Department head and the workers, thereby giving the workers greater incentive to demand a new leader who can truly advocate for them. In effect, Lemcke (and the Town Board) want to neuter the Highway Department Head.
This situation presents a double whammy for the people of Parma: Their elected officials are going down a path that could lead to less control over their Government (by replacing an elected official with an appointed one) and they’re going to destroy the last bastion of meaningful services provided by the Town.
Working families need greater protections, not less. If you’re interested in this, please attend the hearing on the 15th; it should be interesting to say the least.
Lempke isn’t intelligent enough to do his own bidding. He’s doing what he’s being told by Broomarik. I had real concerns over Lempke, Esposite, Logel, Auberger and company when they all showed up at the Greece School Board meeting together holding hands and singing Kumbaya all while trying to consolidate and control West Side public access television, which by the way, they are still attempting to push through.
The workers in Parma need to take a stand and take a poke at that pig in a big way. Remember - he’s not a born leader, he’s a good puppet. Contact the Working Families Party as well and let them know the breakdown. When organized labor is attacked, organized labor needs to unite. I’m sure they will find his actions of great interest.
Why doesn’t someone ask the access channel to tape the meeting or tape it themselves and put it on the air.
[...] complaints have come from the town highway department citing Rick’s continued stance against doing anything to improve the working conditionsor maintain the equipment on a consistent basis. Lemcke and the Republicans in general have even [...]