FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2011 VOL. 20 NO. 38
BERLIN, N.H.
752-585
8
FREE
Union files for arbitration: Charges some city hall workers paid below federal poverty level BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN – Charging the city hall staff and city’s professional workers are the lowest paid in the state; Local 6 of OPEIU informed the city council Monday night it is in the process of filing for arbitration. Local 6 Chief Steward Ted Miller said the local is fi ling for arbitration over the issue of salary levels for the Public Works Department foreman position. But he chided the council over wage levels for members of the union, noting some full-time workers make below the federal poverty level and qualify for food stamps. Miller said the local in February became aware
of hiring agreements between the city and the last three hires for the position of Public Works foreman in which the city negotiated terms of employment with the three. The local argues that is in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. Miller said the local made the issue part of a grievance it was filing and when the city did not respond, fi led a separate grievance, which the city hearing officer denied. Currently, Miller said Public Works foremen are paid less than the mechanic, welder, and carpenter positions they supervise. He said the local thought it had negotiated a compromise with the city that would give the foremen a $1.50 an hour increase as
of June 1, or 56 cents an hour more than the employees they supervise. But last week, Miller said the city presented the local with language that would spread the increase over 50 months. “It is not acceptable for the city to consider foremen who’ve worked several years as entry level employees and to pay them less than the men they supervise,” Miller argued. He warned arbitration is binding and the cost of both the arbitration and decision are the responsible of the losing party. Miller took the opportunity to complain about the low wages paid to union members especially city see ARBITRATION page 8
Ironworkers union complains locals not hired for wind farm BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
PHILLIPS BROOK – A New Hampshire-based union is complaining that despite promises to use local people in the construction of the 33-turbine wind farm in Phillips Brook, Utah workers have been brought in to do the ironwork on the project. Shawn Cleary, business agent for Ironworkers
Local 7, said he repeatedly contacted RMT, the Wisconsin-based general contractor for the project, about hiring ironworkers from his union. He said last week he was told the company was hiring workers from Utah for the project. Cleary estimated about 20 ironworkers will be employed on the project and said his union could have met that demand with all New Hampshire workers. He said there are about 10 ironworkers in
Coos County alone. “It was a great opportunity to put local people to work,” he said. Cleary said the region supported the project on the basis it was going to create jobs for local people. Coos County Commissioner Paul Grenier said he was “extremely disappointed and disgusted” to learn that Ironworkers Local 7 has been bypassed see IRONWORKERS page 7
Commissioners continue process to close farm BY CRAIG LYONS THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
The Enriched Learning Center along with The Main Street Program and The Garden Club were hard at work beautifying the walkway between Caron Building Center and Munces Kwik Stop. From l - r: Robert Douglass, Garden Club member, Annie Morton, Instructor Dave Kenney, Main Street, Director Sylvia Poulin, Norm Cusson, Brendon Charbonneau, Remington Arnold and Brandon Delafontaine. The Enriched Learning Program performs community service weekly, if you are in need of some community work give them a call at 215-0002. Next week they will be working at the New Bickford Park, if you would like to help out give Sylvia Poulin a call at 381-1520.(RITA DUBE PHOTO)
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BERLIN— The Coos County Commissioners continued making arrangements Thursday to shutter the county farm. The commissioners agreed to auction of much of the farm equipment and remaining hay and corn during their meeting Wednesday. The county has already sold off its dairy herd and approved a lease with Santa’s Tree Farm for the land. The auction is set for June 13 at the county farm, in West Stewartstown. Aside from the equipment going to auction, the commissioners received a request from Lyon’s Dairy, of Derby, Vt., to purchase the bulk tanks and its accessory equipment. The company offered $12,000 for the tank and the milking equipment. The county plans to keep a few pieces of equipment, like the generator and a tractor, said County Administrator Collins. Another issue is how to handle the stored see FARM page 8
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