Strike avoided: 911 dispatchers, Allegheny County reach tentative agreement

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — Hundreds of Allegheny County dispatchers had initially planned to walk off the job on Saturday, citing staffing shortages, poor working conditions and long shifts.

Now, according to SEIU — the union representing the dispatchers — the strike that was planned on the same day as Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, has been called off.

“If they had not been to the point that they were willing to walk out and strike, on one of the busiest days of the year, I don’t know if this attention would be here,” said SEIU Local 668 President Steve Catanese.

The workers have been without a contract since the end of 2021. On Wednesday, they announced they had reached a tentative agreement with the county.

“What propelled us was our members standing up for what they thought was right and what they thought was a fair contact,” said SEIU Local 668 Business Agent Al Smith.

The SEIU says the latest agreement will cover about 1,000 county workers, including over 200 dispatchers. The agreement will also address the safety and health of their members, along with giving them a living wage.

“It’s vitally important for our members that were at or maybe below $15 an hour to get an increase in what’s their wages were. There is certainly with us, in terms of health care, scheduling, there are a lot of adjustments that were made there,” said Catanese.

The news comes just one day before the county’s planned press conference to promote safety during the St. Patrick’s Day parade. This is a holiday the SEIU says brings in the highest call volume for dispatchers.

“911 dispatchers are truly first responders and I think we are all aware of that today,” said Catanese.

Union members will still have to vote on the latest agreement, which could happen in the coming weeks.

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