A union representing about 84 city employees wants time to review Scranton’s new ethics code for possible conflicts with their contracts.
City council adopted the stiffer ethics code in January, with limits on campaign contributions elected officials can receive and a reconstituted ethics board to oversee the new rules. The code also bars employees from using city property for personal purposes, taking bribes or kickbacks and accepting gifts or compensation for city services.
Local Lodge 2305 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents city Department of Public Works and parks and recreation employees, sent an email Monday to city Solicitor Jessica Eskra requesting a copy of the new ethics policy. The union is not necessarily opposed to the code, but wants time to review it for potential conflicts and to educate union members on the new policy, union President Sam Vitris said.
As Councilwoman Mary Walsh Dempsey noted at a recent meeting, language in the ethics code already addresses conflicts between the code and collective bargaining agreements.
“To the extent and only to the extent this code conflicts with the existing rights of labor or its members by statute or contract, then such statute or contract shall supersede this code,” the ethics code reads.
Union leadership was not schooled on the new policy, Vitris said, making it difficult to answer members’ questions about it. Mayor Wayne Evans, who requires all employees to sign a document formally acknowledging they received, read and understand the new policy, said educational classes on the ethics code should begin next year.
Vitris encouraged the administration to offer the classes before asking employees to sign the acknowledgement. He also expressed confidence that cooperation between union and city officials will resolve any potential issues stemming from the ethics code.
“We’re 100% for working together,” Vitris said.
Evans said he is optimistic the union will not have an issue with the code once it reviews the language addressing conflicts, the same language Dempsey pointed out last week. He also said he understands the union’s request.
“That’s their role as representing union members within the city,” Evans said. “My role is to make sure as many employees as possible are educated on the Code of Ethics.”
Employees signing the formal acknowledgement is part of that educational process, which will continue into 2020, Evans said.
Contact the writer:
jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141;
@jhorvathTT on Twitter