Wilkes Drops Third In Loss To Moravian

Anna Swiderski

By JOLYN RESNICK jolynr@leader.net
 Tuesday, November 27, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 11A 





WILKES-BARRE - The city will have to come up with at least $350,000 to
cover salary increases shown in the 2001 budget when it settles with members
of three unions who have worked for a year without a new contract. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mayor Tom McGroarty insists the money would be available on the outside
chance that the fire, police and Teamsters unions ratify a new deal before
year's end. The Teamsters represent Department of Public Works employees. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Controller Bernard Mengeringhausen and Council Chairman Jim McCarthy are
not as optimistic as McGroarty. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 While McGroarty appeared to have budgeted for 3.5 percent salary increases
in the 2001 budget, it was not clear Monday if the money is still available or
if it had been spent elsewhere. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The mayor, who was unavailable for comment Monday, said last week he was
not concerned. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But Mengeringhausen said he doesn't know where McGroarty would find the
money, and is unaware of any special fund for retroactive pay. Further, all
contingency funds set up for emergencies are depleted, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The city can expect to receive about $80,000 less in 2002 because McGroarty
intends to eliminate two nuisance taxes, the residence and per capita taxes,
the controller said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mengeringhausen figures McGroarty will have to either retain the taxes or
raise other levies - prospects the mayor has said repeatedly he will not
consider. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McCarthy said he doesn't know where McGroarty would come up with the money
to pay retroactive raises, although the mayor insists he has a surplus. ``He
won't tell us how much,'' McCarthy said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He said the mayor maintains he is ``saving money right and left'' by having
city employees reconstruct streets and do other infrastructure projects. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Many times, however, that work necessitates overtime pay - and that, too,
will have to be considered when calculating the retroactive pay for 2001 - or
whenever the contracts are signed, city administrators have said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Since taking office, McGroarty has frozen raises for union employees
involved in contract negotiations, his own job, and council. Once a contract
is signed, union employees will receive retroactive increases in a lump sum
payment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty and council members won't get pay hikes until all contracts are
signed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Police Benevolent Association contract has gone to arbitration, said
union President Patrolman Bob Hughes. Hughes said the 65 union members should
hear something about the contract by the end of the month or early December. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The firefighters go to arbitration Dec. 12, said union President Capt. Tom
Makar. Makar didn't know how long the process would take, but said the 80
firefighters will receive back pay from Jan. 1, 2001 when it comes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Neither Hughes nor Makar are concerned about where money for the raises
would come from. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It's not my problem,'' Hughes said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He also said if the city takes too long to come up with the retroactive
pay, the union will consider asking for interest. Normally arbitrators do not
award interest on back pay raises. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Teamsters' business agent Joe Gorham could not be reached for comment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In 2002, McGroarty will have to renegotiate a contract with the Business
Local 1300, which represents clerks and secretaries. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jolyn Resnick, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

W-b Officials To Mayor: Show Us The Money 
Mayor Mcgroarty Is Confident The City Will Be Able To Cover Salary Increases
For Three Unions, Others Aren't So Sure.

W-b Officials To Mayor: Show Us The Money Mayor Mcgroarty Is Confident The City Will Be Able To Cover Salary Increases For Three Unions, Others Aren't So Sure.