Job and Family Services Strike

Criticized commissioners for failing to negotiate with JFS workers and failing to address regressive taxes.

Highlighted staffing shortages and difficult working conditions during the 19-week JFS strike.

Described incidents on the JFS picket line and urged commissioners to return to the negotiating table.

Shared firsthand accounts of severe delays in Medicaid and long-term care application processing due to the ongoing worker strike.

An 18-year JFS employee on strike explained the personal toll of the strike and emphasized the irreplaceable experience union workers provide.

Expressed concern over community reaction to county job postings during the strike and urged commissioners to return to the table.

Detailed wage comparison figures between existing experienced staff and proposed new hires, suggesting compromise options.

Warned that replacing 115 trained workers will harm agency efficiency and increase error rates for federal SNAP funding.

Stated that striking workers are receiving overwhelming community and official support and urged commissioners to return to negotiations.

Urged commissioners to show compassion to JFS workers and return to negotiations rather than relying on temporary higher-paid postings.

Shared testimonies from residents facing severe hardships due to delayed medical and food assistance approvals.

Criticized commissioner statements on the strike, proposed wage structures, and county building rent charges.

A long-time JFS bilingual worker spoke about the dedication of staff and questioned how retention will be handled under current proposals.

Challenged the board's statement that they cannot negotiate while workers are on strike, citing legal options.

Criticized commissioners for ineffective leadership and failure to properly manage county responsibilities.

Read a statement from a paralyzed resident whose benefits were cut off due to administrative paperwork delays.

Read a statement from a disabled mother experiencing severe delays in enrollment and medical benefits due to JFS staffing shortages.

Argued that Ohio law does not prohibit bargaining during a strike and urged the board to return to the negotiating table.

Reported that phone lines for Adult Protective Services have been down for over a week, preventing vulnerable citizens from getting help.

A 28-year JFS employee criticized the board for sending hardline negotiators and refusing to offer a genuine contract to striking workers.

Condemned the board for offering a meager one-dollar raise while attempting to claw back sick and personal time after workers served as essential staff through the pandemic.

Highlighted that the JFS strike has reached seven weeks and noted that county medical plan hikes make health insurance unaffordable for workers.

Reiterated that striking JFS workers are standing strong after seven weeks because their base pay is below a living wage.

Argued that commissioners refuse to do low-paying JFS jobs themselves and highlighted how soaring inflation and housing costs outpace wages.

Urged commissioners to support JFS workers by offering livable wages and fair healthcare to maintain the social infrastructure of the county.

Questioned the purpose of executive sessions when commissioners refuse to negotiate with county employees.

Urged commissioners to return to negotiations in good faith for a stable workforce.

Presented a petition signed by Children Services employees demanding fair retroactive pay and contract negotiations.

Reported client hardships regarding SNAP and medical benefits during the ongoing strike.

Spoke in support of striking JFS workers and highlighted low wages and heavy workloads.

An 18-year JFS employee urged commissioners to return to the negotiating table and respect workers.

Challenged claims about agency operations and questioned wage disparities between new hires and incumbent workers.

Highlighted specific cases of SSI/SNAP recipients unable to reach caseworkers and facing food insecurity.

Shared how free clinic patients are losing prescription coverage and experiencing major delays due to JFS backlogs.

Urged commissioners to return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair labor agreement for JFS workers.

Asked commissioners to support local workers, improve job opportunities, and negotiate a fair contract.

Warned that wage inversions from hiring new staff at higher rates will worsen turnover and service failures at JFS.

Shared firsthand accounts of severe service disruptions and calls from professionals regarding vulnerable adults during the strike.

Called out county spending on projects while JFS workers lack pay parity, urging commissioners to return to bargaining.

Criticized public statements made about JFS employees and urged commissioners to offer a living wage.

Stressed the essential nature of JFS work and urged commissioners to sit down at the bargaining table.

Shared personal experience as a long-term JFS trainer making low wages and warned that retention problems harm clients.

Detailed specific operational errors and phone line closures at JFS affecting public assistance and food stamps.

A lifelong county resident pleaded with commissioners to show compassion and transparency, noting that workers make below median salaries and struggle to provide for their families.

A JFS worker criticized board game-playing remarks and pointed out that funds appear available for raises and overtime for non-striking staff, urging fair compensation.

A JFS worker urged commissioners to return to negotiations so employees can return to work.

A nursing home business office manager and former JFS worker explained how delayed Medicaid processing due to the strike is forcing vulnerable families and healthcare facilities into severe financial distress.

A JFS intake worker criticized county leadership for misleading videos and lack of respect during the strike, highlighting processing delays and questioning administrative spending.

An employee of Lorain County JFS with nearly 29 years of service testified about dangerous and unsanitary conditions faced by Adult Protective Services workers making low wages, noting that retention is abysmal and workers qualify for public assistance.

Criticized the board's handling of labor negotiations and called for an apology for public statements.

Read a statement from a JFS worker highlighting low hourly wages and urging commissioners to bargain.

Highlighted the impact of understaffing and low wages at JFS and urged the board to negotiate a fair contract.

Shared past experiences as a school board member during labor negotiations and urged commissioners to return to the bargaining table.