LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- About 100 workers from Lackawanna County's Office of Youth and Family Services walked off the job Friday because contract negotiations with the county commissioners are at an impasse.
Brian Morgantini was in the Lackawanna County foster system for 14 years. He came to Adams Avenue in Scranton Friday morning to support his former case workers from the Office of Youth and Family services. 100-plus will be off the job for the time being.
"It`s an issue. It is. There are children who call in every single day, myself included, that ask for some type of assistance. And if there`s not a workforce to help them, who`s helping them? That`s why this needs to be resolved and I just hope it is," Morgantini said.
The workers have been without a contract for two years. They're in dispute with commissioners over pay raises, sick time, and health care costs.
The Lackawanna County Commissioners said Friday they cannot comment on any negotiations going forward. They did say in a statement that the Office of Youth and Family services will continue to run, but with a very limited staff of non-union employees.
"I thought there was not enough help to begin with! So, yeah, I am going to feel bad for whoever is still working then, because I felt they were shorthanded to begin with," said Megan Jennings of Olyphant, a foster parent in Lackawanna County.
Megan Jennings is a foster parent to two young children and as a result of the strike, they will not be able to have supervised visits with family.
Lea Dougherty's foster sons are a bit older.
"The workers did a really good job of prepping us this week that this potentially could happen and I know that I can get in touch with somebody in an emergency. But I am concerned the longer that this goes on what impact it could have on the families," Dougherty said.
Dougherty said hers and other foster children develop close relationships with their case workers.
And there's no law limiting how long they can strike.
"I want them to get what they deserve, but also I`m worried about the kids in the house," she added.
There is no word when the workers and Lackawanna County Commissioners will negotiate again.
