Wood County rejects report on union talks

10/7/2009

BOWLING GREEN — Wood County commissioners yesterday voted 3-0 to reject a fact finder's report that addressed a number of unsettled issues with employees of the county's nursing home, Wood Haven Health Care.

The contract with Service Employees International Union District 11199, which expired June 30, covers about 72 full- and part-time nursing assistants, aides, and dietary and housekeeping employees.

While the fact finder sided with the union on some points and the county on others, County Administrator Andrew Kalmar said commissioners believe the two sides need to continue negotiating.

The two sides differed on issues relating to vacation and holiday pay for part-time employees, wages, layoff procedures, and probationary periods. While the county proposed a 2 percent raise for workers, it wanted to eliminate holiday pay and vacation benefits for part-time workers.