The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

June 10, 2012

Union, board settle beef over eats

By Joy Leiker Herald Staff Writer

SHARPSVILLE —



Union workers in the Sharpsville Area School District cafeteria were the victors in a dispute with the school over what they could, and could not eat.

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed the grievance in 2011, according to the settlement which was approved by a unanimous vote of the school board May 21.

The board’s solicitor Bob Tesone approved the release of a copy of the three-page resolution this week following an earlier request by The Herald.

The grievance was based on the allegation that the school district “violated established past practice” in charging cafeteria workers for food or drinks that couldn’t be sold or consumed by students. These items would include food or drinks with expired dates or foods that had been reheated, none of which can be served to students according to safe food regulations.

But according to the settlement, cafeteria employees indeed can eat and drink those expired or reheated items – at their own risk. And they don’t have to pay for them.

The items cannot be sold or given to any other party, the agreement says.

AFSCME members working in the cafeteria however must pay for any other á la carte items they consume.

The settlement was negotiated by Superintendent Mark Ferrara and board President Bill Henwood on behalf of the district, and by local representative Bob Calvin and AFSCME President Tammy Scott on behalf of the union employees.

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