One local lawmaker said Thursday he was assured by the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation the agency was “fully
investigating” the problems which led to multiple accidents across
the region due to a labor dispute.
The dispute, between equipment operators and agency leaders at
the local maintenance department over promotions and managing
techniques, led to a delay in trucks being sent out to treat icy
highways across the county.
There were no serious injuries or fatalities as a result of the
incident.
“It is a very serious situation,” state Rep. Martin Causer,
R-Turtlepoint, said. “In my mind, anybody that should have been out
there working, and for whatever reason did not show up, should be
terminated. It is a public safety issue.”
There was no immediate indication that anybody involved in the
situation would be terminated.
Causer said his Bradford office received a handful of telephone
calls about the matter from people who were complaining about the
impassable roadways. The Era has also received e-mails and letters
regarding the situation.
In the wake of the “protest” by drivers, which left many local
officials angry at the lack of response and prompted local
Department of Public Works crews to treat state-owned roadways,
PennDOT officials acknowledged there were miscommunication issues
between both sides and that state crews would be back in full
service Thursday.
The local maintenance department also switched back from summer
to winter mode, according to McKean-Elk Counties Maintenance
Manager Pat Shinaberger. The changeover in modes, according to
PennDOT officials, was April 1. Under the summer mode, drivers
typically work a 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift.
According to Causer, he discussed the issue with PennDOT’s
District 2 District Executive Kevin Kline on Thursday, who assured
the lawmaker that an investigation was still ongoing.
“They are taking it very seriously,” Causer said. “They will be
fully investigating the matter.”
Echoing the feelings of many local officials and others, Causer
said “there are ways to do things properly and to negotiate with
administrators.
“Somebody could have been killed over this,” Causer said.
According to an employee of the local maintenance department,
who declined to be identified by The Era, said the crux of the
problems came about after a group of “A operators” – who make less
money than “B operators” who have more seniority – were up for
promotions and were told recently they wouldn’t be forthcoming. The
individual also complained about micromanagement from two assistant
county managers.
Those close to the situation said not all the crews were called
out Wednesday morning, with the Bradford and Smethport crews that
didn’t show up for work being reprimanded by PennDOT officials at
the Mount Alton maintenance facility.
The individual also said the problems go all the way to
Harrisburg, with trucks being taken away from the local department
due to a lack of use over the years.
“I have heard in the past the (Rendell) administration keeps
close track of how trucks are used, but I can’t directly speak to
that,” Causer said. “I would expect them (PennDOT) to keep close
track of usage, any responsible organization would do that. But at
the same time, I want to make sure they have the equipment they
need to do their job. We’ll stay on top of it.”
Meanwhile, at least one local municipality is already probing
the idea of billing PennDOT for the use of its trucks, man hours
and materials.
Bradford City Clerk John Peterson said Mayor Michele Corignani
has asked Department of Public Works Director Gary Alcock to tally
up the hours the city streets crews worked and the material used,
among other items.
“At the very least, we are probably going to write a letter to
PennDOT about the situation,” Peterson said, adding “it was just
tremendous the way all the municipalities pulled together to do
what they could do to make the roads safe.”
Peterson said whether to bill PennDOT for the costs will
ultimately lie with City Council.
A call seeking comment from Bradford Area School District
Superintendent Sandra Romanowski was not immediately returned
Thursday afternoon.
To help compensate for PennDOT’s lack of response, public works
crews from Bradford and Bradford and Foster townships took to the
roads to treat them. At least two major highways – the U.S. Route
219 Bradford Bypass and Route 770 – were closed down for three
hours during the height of the weather problems.
