RELATED: Union: Montgomery County child welfare workers denied legal right to strike
“The attorneys are drafting language which will be provided to the parties for ratification,” the statement reads.
An impasse in negotiations for a new contract led the local PGO chapter to go on strike July 19, but a temporary restraining order that halted the strike was immediately issued by Judge Richard Skelton of the county common pleas court.
Skelton extended the restraining order for 60 days and ordered the two sides to return to negotiations after the State Employment Relations Board determined the strike presented a clear and present danger to children.
On Sunday, an attorney representing PGO filed a counterclaim in common pleas court, arguing that Skelton erred by stopping a legal strike by the workers.
Contract talks stalled when the parties could not agree on a wage increase.
PGO, representing about 270 child welfare workers, asked for a 6% increase, an increase consistent what was provided in the county’s latest contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Officials said the local union had voted against the county’s offer of a 4% increase and any subsequent offers that didn’t go higher.
The local PGO chapter will be asked to vote to ratify the agreement.
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