Jun 8, 2017 2 min read

I try not to be a person that beleaguers matters, however, when I am being accused of misrepresenting something, I am compelled to respond.

On Sunday, June 4, a letter to the editor was published that was authored by Benjamen Wren, chief of staff for state Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township.

He stated the following on Sen. Stefano’s proposed legislation, SB 168: “While stating his stunning opposition to transparency so plainly he also got the facts of Sen. Stefano’s bills dead wrong. Sen. Stefano’s bill would not open up the negotiating process for public labor contracts or superintendent contracts.”

Here is the language from the bill:

“All of the following are public records subject to the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law:

(1) A proposed collective bargaining agreement made by a public employer or received by a public employer from an employee organization. The proposed collective bargaining agreement shall be posted on the public employer’s publicly accessible Internet website within 48 hours of receipt of the proposed collective bargaining agreement.

(2) Any documents that are presented by a public employer or received by a public employer from an employee organization in the course of collective bargaining.”

Please note that paragraph 2 makes all documents presented during the course of labor negotiations public record which can be accessed through the Right-to-Know Law. I am pretty sure that means that the process is open to the public if this proposed legislation becomes law.

Edward D. Yankovich

UMWA International District 2 Vice President