Montgomery County Children’s Services workers will strike this week, unless a deal is reached before then. The dispute between the 270 member union and the county centers on wages.
Michelle Tedford is the chair of Montgomery County’s Foster Parent Advisory Council and the parent of two foster children. She says she’s been working with caseworkers to take care of some administrative needs for her kids, just in case the Professional Guild of Ohio does move forward with strike plans.
“So, for example we have travel authorization permissions ready for vacations coming up,” says Tedford. “We have our summer school plan already in place.”
She says other foster families have been doing the same. County officials say they have a backup plan in case of a strike, but Tedford is still worried some things may fall through the cracks. Caseworkers, she says, play a critical role for foster children in court.
“There's a lot of volume in the courts,” says Tedford. “So even a week's worth of backup and having to be rescheduled I think really is a concern.”
If an agreement is not reached, Children’s Services workers will strike Friday. A mediation session is scheduled for Thursday.
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