IT IS OBVIOUS TO THE SCPR THAT "SERB" IS BROKE AND OUR LEGISLATORS SIT ON THEIR COLLECTIVE "THUMBS" WHILE THE AGGREIVED SUFFER!

The SCPR doesn't know whether to throw bouquets to Representative Todd Snitchler or roundly criticize him. He has been working with his constituents since January, 2009 to get the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) of dead center in resolving an unfair labor practice case filed on the constituents by their union.

So? Snitchler's going to bat for his constituents. What's The Report problem with Snitchler?

First, a little background.

It all started with a "on-the-job" altercation.

On October 12, 2006, Faber and Knerr got into an fight in the course of their work for Tuscarawas Township.

On October 26, 2006, Tuscarawas Township trustees fired Faber and Knerr.

On January 8, 2007, the General Truck Drivers and Helpers Local Union 92 filed and unfair labor practice charge against the trustees.

On April 12, 2007, SERB found "probable cause" that the trustees had violated Ohio law by not arbitrating grievances filed by Faber and Knerr according to the terms of the trustees/union negotiated contract.

On January 9, 2008, SERB filed a complaint.

On February 21, 2008, the trustees and the union agreed in writing as what the facts of the dispute were and therefore there "no" hearing was held.

On July 25, 2008, SERB an administrative law judge proposed an order finding that Tuscarawas Township had violated Ohio law on the implementation of the grievance and discipline language if its contract with the union with respect to Fabor and Knerr.

Multiple exceptions/cross-exception (August 13, 28 and 25) were filed by the various parties to the complaint. SERB responded.

December 8, 2008 SERB made a decision BUT the letter articulating the orders out out that decision was not sent out until:

September 1, 2009.

So the grand total time line of pending action at SERB was from January 8, 2007 to September 1, 2009.

The September 1, 2009 publication of the SERB decision did find the Tuscarawas Township trustees to be in violation of Ohio law,

And it is interesting that Representative Snitchler did send, what the SCPR interprets from descriptions given to be some sort of "ultimatum" letter, to SERB on Thursday August 27th. Then the December 8, 2008 decision gets published September 1st.

Coincidence?

Probably not.

But this doesn't leave Snitchler off the hook.

Why wasn't he throwing a very public fit about the outrageous delay going on at SERB.

The SCPR does not believe that it is only the Faber/Knerr decision that is involved.

Look at this. SERB's first "published" opinion in 2009? On September 1st? Think there isn't something broken about SERB?

Back on April 15, Sntichler got up on the dais at Tea Day, Tax Day and fulminated about some imaginary political boogeyman.

Everyday people being denied "speedy" justice at the hand of SERB is a "real" problem Representative Snitchler!

But he is not alone. How about senators Schuring (R-29th), Schiavoni (33rd), Boccieri (former, 33rd); represenratives Slesnick (D-52nd), Healy (D-former 52nd), Oleslager (R-51st) and Okey (D-61).

Certainly, the "SERB" problem has been there for some time.

Why haven't they fixed it?