NYSCOPBA says to state "We won't be threatened" |
NYSCOPBA says to state "We won't be threatened"
Posted: Aug 18, 2011 7:33 PM EDT
By:Christine O'Donnell
ALBANY, NY (WTEN) - More layoffs are expected for New York State Union workers. Governor Andrew Cuomo's Director of State Operations leaked a memo stating it's "unlikely layoffs can be avoided" at this time of the year for two more unions.
The memo written by Howard Glaser sites NYSCOPA, the corrections officer union for NY state as well as UUP, United University Professions are vulnerable.
Glaser writes: "despite repeated attempts by the state these units have been slow to engage in negotiations and at this point in the year we think it's unlikely that layoffs can be avoided."
"We're a bit surprised by the reference to layoffs in our unit," President of the NYSCOPBA Donn Rowe said.
Rowe says he's shocked the state would threaten to layoff more of their employees. In the past year 1,000 NYSCOPBA employees have been laid off and they're in the process of closing seven prisons.
The union has been in 2009-2011 arbitration with the state and Rowe says no one from the state has approached them to negotiate a new contract.
"We haven't entered any negotiations for 2011 on as of yet, we're open to dialog with the governor and his staff, but to make threats of layoffs, I don't believe it's appropriate especially for this unit," Rowe said.
The United University Professions (UUP) feels the same way. They released the following statement in regards to contract negotiations with the state.
"The inference that we're slow to engage in negotiations is inaccurate. We're puzzled by that assertion."
The state's contract with PEF is still pending, but earlier this month the state did negotiate a 5-year contract with CSEA. Under the new contract members will see higher health care costs, three years without raises and a week's unpaid furlough.
Rowe says lumping his union with other labor unions is like comparing "apples to oranges."
"To compare CSEA or PEF agreement to this unit I don't believe is appropriate, this is a different unit. It's a law enforcement unit," Rowe said.
Rowe's message to his employees and to the state "We won't be threatened with layoffs; we know the job we do and will engage in dialog with the governor. We will protect [our employees] well being, their safety and their benefits, they've earned their benefits because they do the most dangerous job imaginable.
