SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi chastised longtime county district attorney Tony Rosini on Thursday for supporting a grievance filed by John P. Muncer and the Teamsters union over the former assistant district attorney being laid off last week by the county salary board.
Clausi, who said the commissioners will reject the grievance, provided the media with a copy of a letter Rosini sent to county human resources director Joseph Picarelli requesting the county to reinstate Muncer.
Muncer, 53, of Sunbury, was a county assistant district attorney for more than 20 years under Rosini and former district attorney Robert B. Sacavage, who is currently the county president judge. He is a member of Teamsters Local 64.
With deep regret, Rosini said he was forced to lay off Muncer when the salary board eliminated one of his five assistant district attorneys Jan. 25. Muncer's salary and benefits total $81,800.52.
In the letter, Rosini stated, "I have reviewed the legal and contractual basis for the grievance and agree with the same. The basis for this grievance is that the commissioners have changed the general working conditions in the office, which they were required to maintain under Article 21 of the union contract. In my opinion, increasing the caseload of each assistant by 25 percent at a time when the caseload is at record high levels in Northumberland County is a significant change in the general working conditions."
He added, "Since I have approved this grievance, under the union contract, Mr. Muncer's position should be restored and his pay for the same be reinstated."
Rosini requested Picarelli to review the matter with the commissioners and their legal counsel and inform him in writing if they will reinstate Muncer and continue to pay his salary.
"I am appalled about Mr. Rosini supporting the grievance," he said. "He should know better and realize that he was the only member of the salary board to vote against eliminating the position. The only thing he wants to do is spend, spend, spend taxpayers' money."
Clausi added, "I want to send out a message to the Teamsters union that they are shysters. They can't tell the county commissioners how to spend taxpayers' money. We will never bow to the union on this matter because the salary board has the authority under the law to eliminate as many positions as we want. He doesn't have a leg to stand on regarding this grievance. Mr. Rosini decided to fire Muncer and now he wants to bring him back. He's flip-flopping on this position."
On Thursday afternoon, Commissioners Rick Shoch and Stephen Bridy said they hadn't seen Rosini's letter yet, but were confident in relying on the opinion of the county's labor counsel, Attorney Ben Pratt of York, to reject the grievance.
Bridy stated, "I'm disappointed in Mr. Rosini. I don't think he appreciates the financial condition the commissioners are in. He doesn't understand the ramifications of a tax and spend policy. As I said before, why can't they (assistant district attorneys) represent themselves?"
4-1 vote
On Jan. 25, the salary board voted 4-1 to eliminate an assistant district attorney. Clausi, Shoch, Bridy and Controller Tony Phillips agreed to eliminate the position, which will save the county approximately $80,000 in salary and benefits. Rosini cast the lone "no" vote for the motion, which was made by Clausi and seconded by Bridy.
The district attorney said reducing his staff by 20 percent would compromise public safety in the county and create chaos for the entire court system, while the commissioners said cutting the Teamsters union position was necessary to help balance the budget.
Other cuts have been made in the county to help offset a deficit exceeding $1 million.
Recorders office
Register and Recorder Mary Zimmerman has agreed not to fund a data entry clerk position in her office, a move that will save $40,531 in salary and benefits.
Melinda Miller, who has been employed by the county for a total of 23 years and has most recently worked in the register and recorder's office since Oct. 5, 1998, will be laid off, effective Feb. 10.
Miller, a union employee, could be rehired in the summer of 2013 when another data entry clerk plans to retire.
Data entry clerk Regina Carey, another union employee, was previously identified by the county on a list of positions not funded for 2012 as the employee in the register and recorder's office who would be cut. But that was a mistake by the county.
Carey has been employed by the county since Aug. 12, 1985, and has worked in the register and recorder's office since 1991.
Sol P. Bidding, who serves as a part-time veteran's service officer, resigned from his position that pays $13,357.66 in salary and benefits. Bidding, a veteran of the Vietnam War whose resignation is effective March 1, pointed out that the commissioners never asked him to resign.
The salary board later agreed to pay Bidding $1 per year to serve in the position to avoid any liability issues with him serving as a volunteer.
Other eliminations
The board also eliminated a maintenance II position currently held by Mary R. Zalar, whose salary and benefits total $39,328.24.
Other cuts that were made or will be made by the commissioners include motor vehicle maintenance supervisor Robert W. Kuzma ($29,865.02) and auto mechanic Vernal C. Schickley ($49.252.52) of the transportation maintenance garage, part-time jury commissioner clerk Loretta L. Hager ($9,543.94), finance manager Cheryl W. Rice ($55,814) and confidential human resources secretary Elizabeth D. Morgan ($32,778.26). Morgan will fill a position in the voter registration office for an employee who is currently on family leave.
Shane M. Moyle had his title in the 911 department changed from coordinator to shift supervisor and will receive the same salary of $43,972.82. Moyle will replace a supervisor who resigned, while his former position will not be filled.
One more position in the maintenance department will be cut, but that person has not yet been identified.
Although positions are being eliminated, the commissioners pointed out that the employees currently holding those posts could be moved to other positions in the same department or other departments.