This blog, dedicated to covering activities at Pennsbury, has recently shed light on several challenges the district has encountered with the PHS Building project. Our reporting has uncovered emails confirming the necessity of a referendum, raised concerns about potentially questionable bid pricing estimates, and revealed the previously undisclosed need for a wetlands determination. Additionally, we have brought to light the withholding of a geotechnical report indicating that while the property is usable, it will likely require significant remediation. Amid these investigations, another unexpected issue emerged…labor union interference.
Operating Engineers Union Engages Geotechnical Engineers
David Blackmore & Associates (DBA) were commissioned to conduct a geotechnical survey of the Pennsbury property slated for construction. Their work involved drilling 39 boreholes, each between 20-30 feet deep, to assess water presence, determine soil composition, and identify underlying rock formations. The survey took place in early March, with the final report made public on May 8, 2025, following concerns raised about potential PA Sunshine Law violations during the May Facilities Committee Meeting.
In response to a Right-to-Know (RTK) request by Lower Makefield resident Robert Abrams, email exchanges between DBA and Pennsbury officials revealed that labor unions had approached DBA employees at the site. A business manager named Mike confronted a DBA employee, insisting that a union laborer must be hired to accompany the driller, citing an alleged “Agreement” with Pennsbury. However, Director of Facilities George Steill confirmed that no such agreement exists or applies to this project. The email thread concluded with DBA President Brian McCree notifying Steill that the union had, indeed, sent their laborer to the site.
What Is The “Agreement” Noted In The Email?
In his email response, George Steill clarifies that no formal “Agreement” exists, suggesting to DBA that there may be some confusion. He further explains that the misunderstanding likely stems from the Responsible Contractor Policy. This policy, established by the Pennsbury School District, mandates that companies providing construction services employ a specific percentage of certified laborers. It has been a longstanding point of contention among Pennsbury School Board members, with the board divided on whether to enforce higher percentage requirements. The key question remains: why does the union believe an “Agreement” is in place?
The video below captures a heated debate from the April 18, 2024, Action Board meeting, where Pennsbury Board Members clashed over proposed changes to the Responsible Contractor Policy. Jim Prokopiak spearheaded efforts to update the policy, advocating for restrictions on non-union laborers, while Chip Taylor pushed to preserve the existing framework, which grants the Board discretionary control over contractor selection. This video begins precisely at the moment when the discussion on policy updates took place.
At the time of this meeting, Jim Prokopiak had already won the special election for State Representative of the 140th Legislative District and was officially sworn into office in Harrisburg on March 18, 2024. However, despite assuming his seat in the state legislature, Prokopiak chose not to resign from the Board and remained an active member for two additional meetings. One of those meetings—the April 18, 2024, Action Board meeting—centered on a proposed policy update that would significantly benefit labor union members. In the video below, captured from the same meeting, the Public Comment session features a strong presence of union laborers, including members of Operating Engineers Local 542 that came forward to lodge the support publicly.
Why Would Unions Believe They Have An “Agreement”?
It is a head scratcher as to why the labor unions would believe that a policy would be considered a binding agreement with Pennsbury. What could have led to this misunderstanding? Only those behind the scenes truly know the answers and we will likely never be able to confirm the reasons behind why this misunderstanding really occurred.
Approximately a year ago, following the vote to update the Responsible Contractor Policy, confidential leaks regarding a fundraiser hosted by Jim Prokopiak surfaced among various Pennsbury community members. Contributors to PSD411 were urged to investigate campaign donations tied to an event held in January 2024. Upon reviewing Prokopiak’s campaign finance filings, the event was identified as taking place on January 10, 2024 at what appears to have been the 54 Bar & Grill based on reported expenditures, during which nearly $80,000 in donations were received, predominantly from labor unions.
Within Prokopiak’s campaign finance filings, the interesting details begin to surface on Page 17, Part C, Contributions Received From Political Committees. On January 10th we find the following contributions made to Prokopiak:
- IBEW PAC — $20,000
- PLUMBERS LOCAL UNION 690 — $10,000
- AFSCME COUNCIL 13 — $2,500
- WASTE MANAGEMENT — $500
- FRIENDS OF ERIN MULLEN — $1,000
- SANTARSIERO FOR STATE SENATE — $5,000
- OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 542 — $2,500
- ROOFERS LOCAL 30 — $1,000
- FRIENDS OF BOB HARVIE — $500
- STEAMFITTERS LOCAL UNION 420 — $2,500
- IUPAT DC21 — $2,500
- OPERATIVE PLASTERERS AND CEMENT MASONS LOCAL 592 — $500
- OBERMAYER REBMANN MAXWELL & HIPPEL LLP — $750
- FRIENDS OF TIM BRENNAN — $500
More campaign donations from PACs came just days after the fundraising event:
- SPRINKLERFITTERS LOCAL UNION 692 — $2,500
- MECHANICAL SERVICE CONTRACTORS ASSOC. — $500
- 1776 PAC — $2,500
- SHEET METAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 19 — $5,000
- FALLS TOWNSHIP DEMOCRATIC PARTY — $1,000
As previously noted, only those behind the scenes will understand the reasons behind the “Agreement” confusion. Primary election day is Tuesday, March 20, 2025. Many of these union representatives are typically at the polls in Falls Township, so feel free to ask them as you go in to vote about this confusion. Political leaders Steve Santarsiero, Bob Harvie, Jim Prokopiak and Erin Mullen should be accessible to the public to answer questions as well, along with Pennsbury School Board members..