State Agency Considers Union Election

Efforts to hold an election to unionize county government employees are on hold until a state agency gives the go-ahead.

Assistant County Attorney Jon Jouben said the holdup has to do with an employment list sent to the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) in 2003 - the last time county employees attempted to unionize - that doesn't match up with the current list.

PERC is the state administrative agency that handles public sector unions and must determine whether the county has a valid right to hold an election.

The county and Teamsters Local Union 79 have reached agreement on all facets of the election, including which of the approximately 1,000 eligible employees have the right to vote.

Jouben said it's now a waiting game.

"It's in PERC's hands," he said.

PERC General Counsel Steve Meck said Friday the agency's hearing officer assigned to the Hernando County case is still processing information.

This is the third time county employees have 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).

John Sholtes, business agent for Teamster Local Union 79, said in an earlier interview that the Teamsters has filed for an employee election and is still waiting for a date.

When and if that election occurs, it would require 50 percent plus one of the county's approximately 800 eligible employees to vote in favor of union representation.

Should the employees opt to unionize, the state would certify the election and the Teamsters would become the employees' bargaining agent.

Then, the union would begin contract negotiations with the county.