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This story was updated at 3 p.m. on Nov. 30 to include a comment from Karen Pecora, the president of Westchesters Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA).
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- A Westchester business advocacy organization urged county unions to concede to County Executive Robert Astorinos proposed health care contributions and then offered to mediate ongoing negotiations between the county and unionized employees
The Westchester County Association (WCA) gathered members in the lobby of the Michaelian Office Building Tuesday, where WCA President Bill Mooney caught the attention of union leaders passing by with his proposed antidote to the 2012 budget stalemate.
We are going to be stepping up to the plate to offer some sound advice, obviously, and mediation services to prevent the laying off of 210 employees, said Mooney. We propose the following: that the CSEA and the other unions replicate what their New York State colleagues have done, i.e. make a modest contribution to health care. By doing that the taxpayer will realize $19 million in savings."
Westchesters largest union, however, is not interested in the WCA's offer to mediate talks between the county and unionized employees, said Karen Pecora, the president of Westchesters CSEA.
Paired with County Executive Astorinos recent union-bashing media tour, stunts like todays offer do nothing to contribute to meaningful progress in negotiations, Pecora said in a statement. For all the grandstanding Astorino has been doing on Fox Business News, hes never even presented his much-touted Jobs for Savings plan in the only venue where it can actually be considered: contract negotiations. Its unethical and deceitful for Astorino to state that CSEA has rejected a plan that was never even presented to the union.
Mooney said $14 million would prevent 210 unionized employee layoffs and the additional $5 million gained from union concessions should be used to fund non-profit services for the "needy" and preserve the county's AAA bonds ratings by restocking reserve funds.
WCA members experience restructuring businesses and advocating politically could help spur agreements between Astorinos Republican administration and the unions, according to Mooney.
Robert Buckley, president of the Westchester County Correction Superior Officers Benevolent Association, stepped up to the microphone, flanked by other union leaders, including Westchester County Corrections Officers Benevolent Association President Alonzo West, to tell the audience he happened to overhear the WCAs suggestion and was appalled.
If youre so concerned about taxes, why dont you just pay your whole load of taxes and stop asking for tax breaks? Its really not fair. On one hand youre asking us to sacrifice because taxes are too high. But on the other hand, you shake your hands and try to make deals for tax breaks for people you represent, Buckley said.
WCA wouldnt be well-suited to assist in talks because the association has already taken sides on negotiated items, according to Buckley.
On more than one occasion you have said that the county employees should contribute to their medical costs, said Buckley. Were not going to mediate with somebody whos not a neutral party.
Mooney said WCA is a stakeholder in the budget, which must be finalized by Dec. 27, and belonged with all the stakeholders that ought to be sitting down and trying to negotiate and mediate an issue thats important to all of us.
Astorinos administration would welcome anything that would be helpful with negotiations, according to Donna Greene, a press representative for the county executives office.
This is all along what County Executive Robert Astorino has been asking for. Its not surprising that the Westchester County Association would agree with his point of view, said Greene. Its very, very important to have people that agree speak up.
What are your thoughts on the WCA's proposal? Do you think unionized workers should contribute towards their health care costs? If so, how much? Do you think the WCA could be a good mediator?
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