Striking union workers at Franklin County Children's Services overwhelmingly approved a new three year contract, ending their two week old strike. More than 500 members of the Professionals Guild of Ohio walked off the job in mid May in a disagreement over health care premiums.
Union leaders estimate more than half its membership showed up at the first of several ratification meetings to cast ballots on the new three year contract.
The tentative contract calls for creation of a Health Care Cost Containment Committee to study the problem. Union spokeswoman Beth Earl said if the committee is unable to contain health care costs, workers will contribute one and a quarter percent of their salaries to health care in the second year of the contract.
Earl characterized the agreement as a "compromise" for both sides. She says it was something union leaders could bring back to the membership after more than two weeks on the picket line. But, Earl says some provisions of the new pact were a hard sell.
While the pact calls for creation health care cost containment committee,the pact also allows for possible deductions for health care premiums after one year. Alice Long has worked for Children's Services for 26 years. She cast a reluctant "yes" vote.
Glenda Bolden cast a more enthusiastic yes vote.
But, Donna Taylor says she crunched the numbers and concluded union workers lost money at the bargaining table.
During the strike, Franklin County Children Services responded to emergencies and kept its abuse hotline open.