We would like to correct the headline of the article written about the Laurel Department of Public Works bargaining process: City and union reach an agreement.
The headline is factually inaccurate. When the city refused to bargain further with the union on its financial demands, it initiated an ‘impasse.’ By declaring impasse in February, the city claimed that an agreement on financial matters was not possible, and they refused to consider the union’s offers. The contract was then sent to the council, and on April 1, the council mandated that DPW workers fully accept the city’s proposals on wages and benefits. The city and the mayor have not signed the tentative agreement, and the agreement still needs to be sent to the council for a hearing. When that process concludes, there will be a contract, but it was not reached by agreement.
John Barry
MCGEO Senior Representative
