A representative of the union for Schuylkill County government employees on Wednesday implored commissioners to consider pay raises.

Andrew Kozlosky, of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, told commissioners that county residents are at risk because of understaffing caused by low wages.

He said the 911 center is working with half the needed staff, with many employees working 16-hour shifts. The Tax Claim Bureau, Office of Senior Services, the Children and Youth Services Agency, and other departments are struggling, Kozlosky said.

He said he asked for months to sit down and talk with commissioners, but was told instead to work with the Human Resources Department.

That has yet to come about, he said.

“Due to the stagnant salaries and the low starting wages in the county, the 911 Center is approximately only half staffed, resulting in 16 hour shifts for all the employees there; the tax office is down to one person in clerical; Office of Senior Services, if someone is looking to report senior abuse, they are at half staff and working over twice the amount of cases allotted by the state, which is 30,” Kozlosky said.

Kozlosky said if someone has a loved one who is having a health crisis, there’s going to be a point where the phones won’t be answered at 911.

“If somebody’s reporting elder abuse, you might be put on the back burner.” he said.

Kozlosky said the staff shortages at the Tax Office could result in some taxpayers having to pay more.

“You may have to pay more because they may have to subcontract out instead of paying our members an honest living wage. The county will not sit down with us which may result in the county having to pay a firm more than what would be paid to a county employee who lives in this county and pays taxes in this county.”

“All we are asking for is a seat at the table to talk about giving people a living wage,” Kozlosky said.

Commissioner Gary J. Hess said commissioners have been in touch with department heads. “We’re looking at the situation,” he said.