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Duquesne City Unions OK Contract Proposal
By Tom Leturgey
The Tube City Almanac
August 18, 2022
Posted in: Duquesne News
Some Duquesne officials seemed surprised that the city’s clerical and public works departments had quickly accepted a four-year contract extension without so much as a fight.
The news was reported this week at the city council meeting by Acting City Manager George Newsome.
Councilwoman Elaine Washington asked “who approved” the proposal, and a somewhat surprised Mayor Scott Adams commented that with his “30 years in city government, I have never seen it approved the first time. Kudos to those involved.”
City Solicitor Myron Sainovich noted that while clerical and public works employees of Teamsters Local 205 accepted the proposal, it still must be ratified by a vote of council, which can reject the pact if it doesn’t work for Duquesne.
Washington said that city council should have been informed of the developments sooner.
“It happened quickly,” said Adams. He said he believes that the labor attorney and union representatives had worked on other deals efficiently in the past. He also promised Washington that when the police union contract is up for negotiations, “council will be informed.”
In related news, council voted 4-0 to accept the resignations of police Sgt. Jeremy Brentley and Officers Dennis Rupert, Parker Scherf and William Spangler. Councilman Timothy Caldwell was absent.
According to Adams, all left for better “economic” opportunities. Council unanimously ratified the hiring of Officer Jamie Speelman who had recently passed all necessary tests for the position. According to Shaw, Speelman started earlier in August. Shaw notes that the city now has seven police officers, including himself.
Adams noted that the city will look into neighboring municipalities to see about adding qualified part-time officers to the roster. Adams and Shaw also discussed the possibility of adding a new automobile to the police force if the budget allows.
Duquesne will be searching for a new city manager/administrator. This month, Kelly Robertson resigned to become executive director for the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services with the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Council passed a motion 4-0 creating an ordinance creating the detailed position, and voted the same way to advertise for the position in local news outlets, as well as the Municipal Managers Association, and area universities that feature a public policy and public affairs curriculum.
Councilman Aaron Adams noted that if residents need to call the Interim City Manager, George Newsome, they can call (412) 466-8535. Callers with sewage concerns can dial (412) 567-2785.
Tom Leturgey is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh and the editor of KSWA Digest, the online news and features home of the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance.
Originally published August 18, 2022.
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