Montgomery County Workers Urge Council to OK Contract

Dozens of Montgomery County employees packed a County budget hearing on short notice Thursday afternoon to make sure their recently-negotiated contract is not threatened. The show of strength came after several Council members questioned the contract at Monday’s budget hearing “and we just wanted to have the workers in the room to hear what the Council has to say,” UFCW 1994 President Gino Renne told UNION CITY. “Frankly, we were caught a little off-guard by the critical tone from Council members Marilyn Praisner and Roger Berliner at a time when the money is there and our members continue to deliver a high quality of work with less resources. We’re doing more with less,” Renne continued, “and I find it a little offensive and quite troublesome to have council members question county workers’ professionalism and productivity.” More than half the local’s members participated in the recent contract negotiations and the resulting contract was approved by 94% of the local’s membership, Renne said. “The families that are going to be affected are paying attention and expect the Council to honor this contract,” said Renne. Photos by Chris Garlock