AFSCME files grievance; impact on event unknown

 

Organizers of a scheduled citywide Ironton cleanup are unsure what, if any, effect a union grievance filed against the city will have on the October event.

“As far as the solid waste district is concerned, the project is still a go unless I am prohibited from having it,” said Dan Palmer, coordinator of the Lawrence-Scioto County Solid Waste Management District.

The solid waste district and Ironton Municipal Court have scheduled four days next month where residents can dispose of unwanted household items at the South Ironton Industrial Park. At the same time city alleys are targeted for a cleanup.

According to Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship the grievance centers around a possible violation of the union’s contract with the city.

“Basically it’s an article in the contract regarding contracting out work normally performed by city employees,” Blankenship said.

Representatives from AFSCME Local 771 and Blankenship have a meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

“Right now I need to meet with the union on Tuesday before commenting,” he said.

From Wednesday, Oct. 9 through Saturday, Oct. 12, residents can dispose of tires, sofas, bedding, furniture and other household items at the industrial park. The park will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. those days. Items can be placed in roll-off containers that have been provided by Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Ironton Health Board, Citizens Deposit Bank, Friends of Ironton, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Ironton Rotary Club and City National Bank.

Also during those days the workers of Collins’ community service program and employees of the solid waste district will be going up and down the alleys in the city picking up illegally discarded items as well as weeds and other debris.

Blankenship said he did not know if, or in what way, the grievance would impact the cleanup.

“That is not my call,” he said. “It’s is not the City of Ironton project.”

Palmer said he also wants to see the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting.

“The district has already received phone calls from residents of Ironton about the cleanup as to what they can put out and what alleys we are going to clean,” he said. “I would hate to see this cleanup not completed because I think a lot of residents would be upset. Again, as far as I am concerned it is a go unless I am told not to have it.”

A call made to the waste water treatment department where AFSCME local president Brent Layne works was not returned by press time.