Cambria, deputies at odds over sick time

EBENSBURG - A monthslong dispute between Cambria County and its sheriff's department over a county-adopted employee attendance policy may go before the National Labor Relations Board as early as next week.

Commissioners touted the nearly year-old policy as a successful one Friday but said the sheriff's deputies continue to reject the changes. A hearing Wednesday in Harrisburg could settle the matter.

The sticking point has been stipulations on how sick time can be used, with new regulations touted as a cost-saver for the county that also has increased efficiency.

"The majority of our employees, as always, have used sick time the way it's meant to be used," Human Resources Director Ron Baker said. "But there are always some who don't, and that's where we've seen a difference over the past year."

As a result of the new policy, 1,250 fewer sick days have been logged in the past year compared with the annual average during the past three years. That's the equivalent of five full-time employees, with productivity increased in the county by 229 working days, Baker said.

"For taxpayers, it means they're getting more bang for their buck," President Commissioner P.J. Stevens said, adding it lessens the county's need for per diem staff.

Regarding sick days, the county policy allows for five unexcused sick "events" - defined as a day or more in a row of missed time - a year before the county takes action. After that point, a disciplinary process kicks in, which initially includes a written warning and can lead to suspensions or termination, if patterns continue, Baker said.

It's the same case with late arrivals to work, with employees receiving warnings once they are late 10 or more times in a rolling 12-month period, he said, noting that the county's computerized time card system tracks such patterns.

Sheriff Robert Kolar said that issues remain with the new policy but because the matter was currently in litigation, he said he did not want to comment further.

An attempt to reach union president Steve Szymusiak was unsuccessful Friday.

Attempts to bring deputies under the attendance policy have been blocked since the fall, Baker said.

Kolar and deputies have maintained there is an attendance policy in their latest collective bargaining agreement, Kolar said. But the commissioners said they have the right to make changes and that all employees should be held to the same standards.

"We struggle every day to watchdog [expenses]," Stevens said, "and it's a never-ending battle."

Mirror Staff Writer David Hurst is at 946-7457.