Mediation Possible in Hellertown Public Works Contract Stalemate

At their meeting Monday night, Hellertown Borough Council members directed labor attorney Jeff Stewart and Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft to meet with the borough public works department’s negotiating team within the next 10 days to try to negotiate a new contract for public works employees.

Public works has been working under an expired contract since Dec. 31, 2013.

Council president Tom Rieger said that if there is no movement in the negotiations by May 1, an impasse will be declared and Stewart will be instructed to contact a state mediator to request a fact-finding meeting.

Rieger said there will be no additional comment about the negotiations at present.