State Trooper PBA Breaks Pattern—Significantly (18%)

This week’s Chief-Leader reports the N.Y. State Trooper PBA negotiated with the Pataki administration a 4-year 18%  contract. It includes 3-3-3-3 compounded, plus 5.4% ($2,652) expanded (hazardous) duty pensionable salary increase and significant longevity boosts. It also includes $9892 in retro. UFA Labor Attorney Mike Axelrod represents the State Trooper PBA and negotiated this contract. It exceeded the state civilian pattern, eliminating the first year zero while including an expanded/hazard duty raise of 5.4%.

Richard Steier reported in the Chief, “But the (NYC-PBA) arbitration panel chaired by Eric Schmertz and acting under the jurisdiction of (state PERB) had to be aware of the significant deviations from other public-employee contracts under the Trooper deal and their potential applicability to the (NYC) PBA.” Steier also reports  “Governor Pataki's willingness to make this deal with Troopers...drives a hole through (the City’s pattern) theory if the PBA arbitrators choose to walk through it.” He continues, “but the current arbitration, unlike the last two in which the union was involved, is proceeding without any other city police or fire union under contract. And so there is no assurance that the arbitrators will believe that the DC 37 pattern that has been adopted by several other civilian unions has relevance for the PBA. The fact that another union representing police personnel has gotten a first year wage hike (breaking the civilian pattern) could loom larger than all the city and state contracts in which a cash bonus was provided as a cheaper alternative.” Steier also points out, “Mayor Bloomberg has plenty to worry about in that area, most notably as regards the historic parity relationship between city cops and firefighters”
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UFA Contract Coalition Strategy Strengthens

All unions that hastily jumped at the City’s offer last round in 2002 (and got zeroes) chose not to repeat the same mistake this time. The UFA’s No-Give-In strategy led to the formation of a unified Fire-Police Coalition. Why? Because Mayor Bloomberg has not budged one inch off his basic 0-3-1 offer with any union—without givebacks. Keep this in mind when evaluating claims that a ‘deal’ could have been cut over the past 3 years without giving anything up. Agreeing to a quick ‘deal’ and undermining the Coalition. as the Chief article above notes, could have severely hampered PERB’s ability to consider greater increases without givebacks. The good news over the past few months? The arbitrator must now consider: City surplus soaring to $3.3 billion, cost of living now 3.3% , and a PERB arbitrator recently dismissing the 0%, 3% & 1% offer and awarded the MTA-PBA a 4-year award of 3%, 4%, 6% & 8%, and the State Trooper 18% contract. Prior to 2002, we did not have the right to go to PERB. Now that we do, time works against the City, as clearly shown above. The City made a mistake dragging out negotiations because the arbitrator now has powerful facts to consider to our advantage—which did not exist 4 months ago. Be patient. Hold the course. The UFA has a base salary parity clause in our contract. A successful PBA award will have a substantial bearing on your financial future—for many years to come. Civilian patterns will no longer hold our salaries down. NOTE: The UFA met with PERB mediator on May 24th. Once again, the City refused to budge.

UFA Election Ballot Mailing

Ballots were mailed to each member's residence by American Arbitration Association (AAA) on Thursday, May 26th, and must be returned to the AAA by 9:00 am on Monday, June 13th. Any member who has not received a ballot by Tuesday, May 31st is directed to call AAA directly at (800) 529-5218, M-F 9am to 5pm, and give their correct residence address (and actual assigned unit - not their detail assignment). A ballot will mail to your home that same day. Ballots will be counted on June 13th commencing at 9:00 am. Military members serving active duty may vote via the internet in accordance with April's approved UFA Constitution Amendment and the above time requirements. Election results will be announced on that same day upon ballot count completion. Winners take office effective August 1st. Make sure you vote! It’s your future...

Stephen J. Cassidy
President