Several interesting things happened at the January 13, 2000 Township meeting:
Remember the unpopular budget with the TAX increase that was approved December 9, 1999? Well Pennsylvania Law allows the budget to be brought up for amendment in the January meeting following an election year. I never did get to express an opinion on the budget and tax increase, but all that changed on 1/13/2000. I made a motion that we amend the 2000 budget with the goal of reducing or eliminating the tax increase. The motion dies for lack of a second. This just provides more evidence that we need more involvement from the community. We need to totally change the complexion of this board at the next election.
The board also adopted the following resolution offered by Mr. Rarick.
WHEREAS, the mushroom producing Company located near Evansville in Maidencreek Township through various corporations from Campbells to Vlasic and now Money's Mushroom Ltd. have been good neighbors and good corporate citizens over the years,
WHEREAS, workers throughout the United States enjoy one of the highest standards of living in great part due to the National Labor Relations Act,
WHEREAS, the workers in the mushroom industry, many of whom are overwhelmingly poor and migrant, and are looking to attain some of that American dream but have little protection under the NLRA,
WHEREAS, the workers at Vlasic Farms Campbells Fresh have sought to organize under the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act, and in March of 1999 voted 2 to 1 for Union Representation in PLRB elections and was certified in December, 1999,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Maidencreek Township urges the corporation at Campbells Fresh to continue to be good neighbors and citizens and recognize the workers committee under the PLRB,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Maidencreek Township urges the Company and Union meet in good faith to amicably negotiate a collective bargaining agreement to benefit both parties as well as the community as a whole.
I believe it is desirable to have the township pass resolutions to express our opinions on legislation with the Pennsylvania legislature or the U.S. Congress, but to have the township insert itself in a private matter is altogether improper. Notice that the resolution calls for the company to "recognize the workers committee." This essentially has the Township Government "urging" the company to accept a union. Whether or not this company recognizes a union is up to them. People have a right to form associations and make contracts that they deem mutually advantageous. The company in question faces stiff price competition. Food is a commodity produced in abundance and at a low price. It may well be that recognizing this union will work to the long-term disadvantage of both the workers and the company. This is a decision for the company management in whose hands the stockholders (the owners of the company) have placed the stewardship of the company. This decision should be made free from government involvement. I voted against this resolution, but it passed 2 to 1.
-Roy Timpe
Paid for by Roy Timpe