Town, Teamsters OK Patch as 'working foreman'

Ronal Patch ... former selectman and longtime transfer station manager (Lebanon Voice file photo)

AUGUSTA, Maine - Lebanon Transfer Station Manager Ronal Patch will most likely be part of a single collective bargaining unit along with other transfer station workers as they move toward possible unionization, the head of Maine's Labor Relations Board told The Lebanon Voice today.

Marc P. Ayotte, executive director of the board, said that in a conference call with representatives of Maine Teamsters Local 340 and the town on Wednesday, both parties had agreed to classify Patch as a "working foreman."

The classification is sure to raise eyebrows among many in the town, who for years have considered Patch a department head, a position that does not allow for union representation.

The agreement between selectmen and their Town Counsel and the Teamsters means that the Oct. 26 meeting in Augusta at the state's Labor Relations Board offices is no longer necessary and that eligible transfer station workers, including Patch, his wife, Lorraine Patch; brother, Robert Patch along with one other worker will be allowed to vote whether to unionize.

One other current worker won't be allowed to vote as he has less than six months employment on the job.

Ayotte said that the Oct. 26 meeting had been scheduled to determine Patch's management status, with which there had been some disagreement among town officials. At question was whether he was a working foreman, a manager, supervisor or department head.

Ayotte noted that what separates department heads from working managers or foremen is whether they do things like, "formulate policies and practices," "formulate budgets" or "have hire and fire authority."

He said now that the town has agreed that Patch is not a department head, the town is free to appoint one if they choose.

Some of the benefits that will likely be addressed by the union will be pro rata benefits for health insurance, as well as annual and sick leave.

Ayotte said a simple majority of those workers eligible to vote will determine whether they unionize or not.

That process of voting and the mailing of ballots has already begun, Ayotte noted today.