Written by Caleb Brown (News Director)
A vote of 4 – 3 defeated a motion to censure Lansford Borough Councilman Joseph Butrie for what the motion described as “his actions dealing with the ongoing contract deliberations between the Borough of Lansford and the Teamsters Union…”
The Motion
The motion proposed by Councilman Bruce Markovitch further went on to describe that Butire allegedly forwarded a document to the union that contained “false and misleading provisions.”
The motion further alleged that Butrie indicated to the union that these provisions had been approved by Borough Council and resulted in the union voting and accepting the provisions. It ending claiming Butrie’s actions were a violation of Good Faith Provisions of Labor Law.
Before the motion was voted on, Butrie addressed council. “There was a committee for the union contract…” he said before going on to list the members of the committe including himself, Councilwoman Michele Bartek, and former Councilwoman Jennifer Staines.
“I was the liaison between the committee and borough workers, and I never ever ever called the union and said Council approved this contract.”
Markovitch responded, saying, “We met about this, we discussed this, we had the email from the union saying the union had already approved the contract based upon what Joe had sent them.” He went further, “I mean it’s pretty clear what went on,” Markovitch said.
What is a censure
A member of the public in attendance would ask that Borough Solicitor Robert Yurchak clarify for council what a censure meant. “Censure means he did something wrong,” Yurchak said before describing the action as a “slap on the wrist.”
The Vote
Before someone seconded the motion, Markovitch would speak to council again. “…we have to do something. You’re going to be bargaining with these people tomorrow night, I believe…you’re in a bad position now to bargain with these people. The amount that he put in there that he said was available for raises, now you’re going to go down there and try and cut them in half. This is going to be bad.”
Ultimately, the motion was seconded by Bartek. The vote concluded with Council members George Gilbert, Jack Soberick, Joseph Genits, and Butrie himself voting no.
Butrie speaks further
Following the meeting’s conclusion, Butrie spoke with CC Broadcasting, where he clarified his position about the allegations levied against him in the motion.
“I just told them what council decided to give them, and they came back with a counteroffer. That’s all I did.”