Unfair labor practice suit filed
Teamsters Local 205 filed a second unfair labor practice suit against Brentwood over police scheduling issues.
The scheduling system, awarded by neutral arbitrator Clark Winter in December, allowed officers to schedule themselves based on seniority and was to be in effect on Jan. 1.
But Mayor Ken Lockhart and Chief Robert Butelli did not enact the negotiated system.
Borough Solicitor Robert Xides Jr. confirmed the new claim, though he could not comment further because he deals with the borough's property and tax issues.
Solicitor George Gobel, who handles the borough's labor issues, did not respond to several phone messages left by the South Hills Record.
Teamsters Local 205 police business agent Carl Bailey insisted Lockhart and Butelli were the only ones responsible for denying the new scheduling method.
"The decision is what the arbitrator comes up with," Bailey said. "It's legal and binding, but the mayor and chief are not happy with it.
"We're hoping it will go to court and the state labor board will tell them this is the award, and that's it."
Last year, the Teamsters filed its first schedule-related unfair labor practice suit against Brentwood because the negotiated police schedule was not enacted.
Lockhart said council is taking powers away from the mayor's office by interfering in the police department. He has filed a lawsuit against council hoping to take control over price scheduling. That suit is awaiting litigation in Common Pleas court.
"We still have a suit against council. It's not monetary, but it says council should not stick its nose where it doesn't belong," Lockhart said. "The mayor dictates the time and manner police officers do their duties."
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This is an example of a waste of money.Arbitration costs money.An award was made during that process which is legal and binding.Now there is another waste of money in the need to file unfair labor practice suits.Maybe the borough needs to add another catagory to their budget and call it,"I didn't get my way" fund.Here is the money for the kids skate park.It is being spent on silly issues that should not be happening in the first place!
Candleslady, You got that right. It's a waste of money. Our borough pays these attorneys to show up at these meetings. And for paperwork that is involved. If our mayor is so worried about cost issues why does'nt he cut the crap. The arbitrator has spoken Mr. Mayor. Maybe you should listen.
At the last council meeting, Mr. Wenzel made the statement that he has alot of time on his hands and was searching through attorney bills. Maybe he should take the time and find out how much money the mayor is wasting on this BS. First he is going against what the arbitrator said and now he is sueing our elected officials with our money.
It seems to me from reading the article that this wasted money could go to far better places.Even the local food bank would be a better choice than the court systems and attorneys pockets.
Candleslady and OZ, you are absolutely right! The mayor and the chief are pouting like two babies. “The empty barrel makes the loudest noise.” The mayor and chief are the empty barrels, always crying and complaining about nothing. Why don’t you two quit your crying and start being apart of the process instead of the bump in the road. It costs the citizens of this borough money to keep using attorneys to fight your stupidity. Keep this in mind next election people of the borough. It is time for a new mayor! One that cares about the community instead of himself and his ego!
I am not being critical of the Mayor or Chief.I am saying that there should be respect for the process of arbitration on the part of all involved.It is a part of the union process,and Brentwood officers belong to a union.If you are a Mayor or Chief of a police department that belongs to a union,you should understand and respect the process.The same applies to the officers.If the ruling had gone against their wishes,they would be expected to respect that decision also.I agree with your statement about all being a part of the process.It seems to me that a little flexibility is cheaper than legal fees.
Why not flip a coin? LOL