Bargaining

Maryland unions don't have this much power To the editor: Mr. Waters, your column of Sunday, Dec. 4, gives the public sector unions too much credit as to their power through collective bargaining. The state of Maryland, by law, severely limits the state's employees power to negotiate. It limits the issues that are permissible to bargain. These unions are not permitted to strike and many of the economic issues negotiated are subject to funding by a fiscal authority.

tarar@herald-mail.com Washington County Sheriff's Department deputies are seeking authority from state legislators to negotiate their salaries and benefits, but they'll have to do so without the support of the Washington County Commissioners. County Attorney Richard Douglas said Thursday the commissioners decided this week not to endorse a request from Cpl. James Cooper that deputies receive collective bargaining rights. The Maryland General Assembly would have to give the deputies that authority.

HAGERSTOWN The Washington County Board of Education's chief negotiator responded Friday to information the county teachers union released the day before, saying it was "inaccurate. " Tim Thornburg, employee and labor relations coordinator and chief negotiator, made the statement in a seven-page document addressed to all Washington County Public Schools stakeholders, including teachers. "Specifically, the association has inaccurately interpreted the board's proposals and not reported the true intent of the language to its bargaining unit members," Thornburg said in the document.

HAGERSTOWN - The Washington County Board of Education's chief negotiator responded Friday to information the county teachers union released the day before, saying it was "inaccurate. " Tim Thornburg, employee and labor relations coordinator and chief negotiator, made the statement in a seven-page document addressed to all Washington County Public Schools stakeholders, including teachers. "Specifically, the association has inaccurately interpreted the board's proposals and not reported the true intent of the language to its bargaining unit members," Thornburg said in the document.

In a scene reminiscent of a more-civilized Black Friday, shoppers packed the front hall of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, got on their marks and watched the clock. With a minute and 30 seconds left to go before the 1 p.m. half-price sale, Singer Society volunteers decided they were ready to go, and granted mercy by opening the glass atrium doors early and letting the crowd loose. Robbie Matonak, 62, of Hagerstown, bypassed the atrium and high-tailed it to the Bowman Gallery to a wooden chair with a floral needlepoint cushion.

wandaw@herald-mail.com The turnout was so huge for Monday's 25th annual Mile-Long (Plus) Yard sale that the Washington County Sheriff's Department was called out to manage the bumper-to-bumper traffic on Paradise Church and Longmeadow roads. It looked a bit like an outdoor mall. Yards and driveways in surrounding neighborhoods were filled with clothing, furniture, antique collectibles, toys and other items. Hundreds of Tri-State shoppers formed a steady stream along the roadside.

Janelle Clark of Waynesboro, Pa., shops Tuesday for books to read to her 6-month-old son, Jaleel Johnson. Waynesboro's Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library's Friends of the Library group is having its spring book sale through Saturday during normal library hours. The bag sale starts next Tuesday. Proceeds benefit children's programs and equipment purchases.

Living life frugally doesn't mean living life deprived. This idea resonated with me as I read "Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy" by Jonni McCoy. I like to stretch my money as far as possible, within reason. I don't want to live on pork and beans, forgo entertainment or wear dog-tired clothing. I think decorating and fashion are fun. I like cooking, and I want my kids to go to a camp or take a class that interests them. When summer rounds the bend, spending threatens to heat up along with the temperature.

The Women's Club will hold its annual fall bargain sale Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the club, 31 S. Prospect St. in Hagerstown.  Gently used clothing and other items will be available for purchase.  The club provides low-cost housing in the community and also a place for members to meet.   Basket bingo On Sunday, Oct. 14, Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program will host its second annual Longaberger basket bingo at The Improved Order of Red Men Tribe 84. Doors open at 11 a.m., lunch will be served at noon and bingo begins at 1 p.m.  Tickets cost $25, which includes lunch and 25 games.

A bargaining session scheduled Monday in Waynesboro Area School District’s ongoing teacher contract negotiations was canceled. Superintendent James Robertson said a couple members of the school board’s negotiating team were unavailable for the 5:30 p.m. session. Richard Galtman, a lawyer serving as chief negotiator for the school board, said neither side had a new proposal to present. The school board and teachers’ union, Waynesboro Area Education Association, have been negotiating since early 2010.