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Hernando Today

County Workers Give Thumbs Up To Union

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando today

Published: March 4, 2009

Brooksville - After two days of voting, county employees voted 331 to 110 in favor of allowing the Teamsters to represent them in a union.

The votes were tallied late Wednesday in downtown Brooksville.

John Sholtes, business agent for Teamsters Local Union 79, said there will now be a 15-day grace period to allow someone to file an objection to the election.

After that the state must certify the Teamsters as the bargaining agent for the employees, who will be split into two separate bargaining units: about 14 professional, white-collar positions and about 535 non-professionals.

Then it will be time to begin contract negotiations, Sholtes said.

County Administrator David Hamilton added that he was not surprised by the vote outcome, given the strong organizing effort and the "understandable level of anxiety" due to the economy.

"Our employees have made an important decision as they had the right to do," Hamilton said. "County administration has taken no position in this lengthy process to ensure that our employees had the ability to take responsibility for their decision.

"We congratulate the Teamsters Local 79 on their determined efforts and look forward to working with them in the continued spirit of mutual respect and cooperation serving the citizens of Hernando County."

Dan Oliver, maintenance technician with the facilities department, said he was sure of the outcome because of the mood of the workers.

Oliver, who helped start unionizing efforts almost one year ago, estimated 95 percent of the eligible employees turned out to vote.

"It's almost like a new beginning," Oliver said. "It's time people drew back together. It's given them a common cause to work for."

Oliver said the union representation is similar to an insurance policy.

"Everyone looks for a little protection in these times," he said. "You need it."

Three other times, county employees tried to organize and form a union. They voted down earlier alliances with the Teamsters and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Sholtes said Wednesday he was confident employees would vote in favor of representation, given the economy and the current streamlining efforts under way.

It required 50 percent plus one of the county's eligible employees to vote in favor of union representation.

County Commissioner John Druzbick said he had no opinion one way or another with the employees exercising their right to unionize.

He said he would work with the employees, as he did with the teachers' union during his 12-year tenure on the school board.

When contract negotiations begin, talks will "start from base zero," Druzbick said.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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