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Developmental Disabilities workers reject union

Read the letter that Jennifer Rousculp sent to employees PDF

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By Bridgette Outten, Staff Writer Updated 5:54 PM Monday, September 14, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Clark County Board of Developmental Disabilities employees rejected union representation in a 34-to-14 vote last week, officials confirmed Monday, Sept. 14.

But representatives of the union, Professionals Guild of Ohio, said an unfair labor practice charge against the BDD pending with the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) could have impacted the election.

The 49 employees who voted are registered service workers (RSWs) who assist clients with developmental disabilities; there were 51 RSWs eligible.

The PGO filed the complaint June 26, alleging employees who signed cards supporting PGO were denied a raise while non-bargaining employees received a raise.

“On or about June 16, 2009, Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Rousculp sent a letter to each RSW, (stating they) were not receiving their regularly scheduled raise because they requested a representation election,” the complaint stated.

“We believe that denying employees a wage increase that all non-union staffers received sent a clear signal,” representative John Campbell-Orde said Monday.

Jennifer Rousculp, who took over as BDD superintendent July 1, said the letter sent to RSWs was “highly missrepresented” by PGO.

“Since (the RSWs) submitted enough cards to hold an election, based on SERB and labor law, we are not allowed to affect the wages, terms or conditions of employment until the election is held,” Rousculp said. “We are not allowed to make changes.”

The employees expressed interest in a union before a board meeting where their annual 2.5 percent raise would have been approved, she said.

“We followed our attorney’s advice,” Rousculp said. “And there was a 1986 case with Lucas County MRDD in almost the exact same situation where SERB” determined no changes to employment should be made until after an election, she added.

The Board of Development Disabilities is not connected to Job & Family Services of Clark County, which is also currently involved in union negotiations.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.

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