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Union follow up
In the wake of yesterday's protest by DPW workers outside the City Center, and a blog post here on Monday, I've been taken to task on a few issues, including an anonymous protester calling me biased against unions.
I think some of the allegations of bias stem from an editorial written by Managing Editor Barbara Lombardo, which did side with the city, agreeing that the pay increases requested by CSEA are not affordable to the city. I, however, have done my best to present both sides of the continuing wrangling over the city's expired labor contracts. If there are specific areas where readers think I can improve, please give me specific suggestions.
It was also mentioned to me that the paper did not contain any real suggestions for revenue enhancements. Lombardo's key suggestion has been to change the way police and fire over time is administered so that less-senior officers (who earn a lower wage) get preference on OT. This may or may not be a feasible suggestion, especially given that the OT structure is a long-established formula, and changing it wouldn't be easy -- but I do think it's a real suggestion.
Obviously, paid parking is out there too.
If you won't like those, and property taxes are not the answer, another thought might be to increase the contribution of CSEA employees toward their healthcare. Although some employees already contribute, the amount is minuscule compared to contributions made by private sector workers. This isn't a revenue enhancement so much as a cost savings, but less money out is always a good thing. Of course, this is being discussed, although CSEA prefers to save on a Canadian prescription plan, rather than making a contribution.
Oops, I suppose I just my bias show again.
I was also chided by union reps on Tuesday for numerous references to an inflatable rat that was expected to appear at the rally. It didn't show, and the stated reason was the weather. However, upon arriving, I was told that the rat's appearance was only a rumor. Not true. A CSEA spokeswoman told me directly that the rat would appear last week.
Perhaps the rat stayed home because the union recognized that it had already curried enough bad-sentiments, and that bringing the rat would only serve to inflame the situation.
I think some of the allegations of bias stem from an editorial written by Managing Editor Barbara Lombardo, which did side with the city, agreeing that the pay increases requested by CSEA are not affordable to the city. I, however, have done my best to present both sides of the continuing wrangling over the city's expired labor contracts. If there are specific areas where readers think I can improve, please give me specific suggestions.
It was also mentioned to me that the paper did not contain any real suggestions for revenue enhancements. Lombardo's key suggestion has been to change the way police and fire over time is administered so that less-senior officers (who earn a lower wage) get preference on OT. This may or may not be a feasible suggestion, especially given that the OT structure is a long-established formula, and changing it wouldn't be easy -- but I do think it's a real suggestion.
Obviously, paid parking is out there too.
If you won't like those, and property taxes are not the answer, another thought might be to increase the contribution of CSEA employees toward their healthcare. Although some employees already contribute, the amount is minuscule compared to contributions made by private sector workers. This isn't a revenue enhancement so much as a cost savings, but less money out is always a good thing. Of course, this is being discussed, although CSEA prefers to save on a Canadian prescription plan, rather than making a contribution.
Oops, I suppose I just my bias show again.
I was also chided by union reps on Tuesday for numerous references to an inflatable rat that was expected to appear at the rally. It didn't show, and the stated reason was the weather. However, upon arriving, I was told that the rat's appearance was only a rumor. Not true. A CSEA spokeswoman told me directly that the rat would appear last week.
Perhaps the rat stayed home because the union recognized that it had already curried enough bad-sentiments, and that bringing the rat would only serve to inflame the situation.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
2:37 PM
8 Comments:
Well-written and thoroughly thoughtful. At this critical moment in our financial future, our D-Day in here in this long-debated budget. Here and now there is a rare synergy between your "on-the-street" view, the newspaper's editorial, and the insight of i-saratoga, a blogger remarkable for his intelligence, eloquence, and mastery of local lore.
As all three of you posit, the Unions will be our financial ruin. That's CSEA, DPW, Police/Firemen et al. We see no hard negotiations, only a horribly ill-advised raid on our dwindling budget surplus.
And yet, there's something to be said for a big crowd in full voice. The organized hoards fill the Council chamber, shout and roar with intimidating fury... and the fearful Council are warned- The MOB will VOTE.
And WE will PAY. Because WE the people never address the Council in numbers, much less in words. The erudite, informed and opinionated bloggers do nothing but write... all in anonymity. They write about a "fear" of some kind of reprisal.
In simple conversation, the common sense of the common Saratogan sees the Union excesses and wants them reasonably reined in. But they too dare not use their rights, the rights we will celebrate in massive numbers this coming weekend. Free Speech means nothing if left only in elementary school textbooks. You know, that "We The People" thing.
Andrew, keep writing and dare to sign your name. Speak now or forever hold your piece of what was once a financially-sound city.
We don't need an inflatable rat.
We each have our God-given lungs to power our voice. Or not.
-Kyle York
Voter
Andrew,
The union leaders are being blind and stubborn to the economic realities of their situation. No matter what sense you may try to talk into them, they're not going to change their opinions. As the old saying goes, 'you're either with us, or against us.' And if you're being remotely objective, you're against them.
The ideology of the union leadership is ingrained in the philosophy of organized labor. The 'for us or against us' approach was an effective way of organizing when workers faced far harsher circumstances than most union leaders today; strike busters, violence, coercion and worse. Now this is hardly the case, yet these union leaders still act as though they're brutally oppressed. I would proffer their attitude toward your reporting is a result of this history. I could almost guarantee if you wrote an article titled "asshole mayor screws poor, helpless unions in their struggle for the working man," they'd still call you bias.
Now mind you, this isn't the case with ALL union. But CSEA is a damn good example of one that simply refuses to evolve with the times. They fail to understand that most, if not all of their members live a higher standard than the middle class, much less the blue-collar workers in the private sector.
Also, I would implore you to look into CSEA. The organization itself is rife with corruption. Just ask neighboring Schenectady County about how highly regarded this organization is. Bottom line, is they're a political juggernaut that throws its wait -and attitude -around until they get a few politicians on their side(See: Skip Scirocco; Ron Kim). Then once they do, they have their way with contract negotiations. And if they don't, they take their organizing power elsewhere. Just watch what happens if these contract negotiations go on until November and Ron Kim gets elected.
In a roundabout way, I'm saying keep up the good work(although you shouldn't let up on the police contract/procedure manual), and don't let these pricks get under your skin. After all, you have the power to reach 10,000 people every day. Even with their organizing, they can't do that, and I'm sure it pisses them off to no end.
P.S., if you read Friday's Daily Gazette, they also mentioned CSEA would inflate the rat, so tell those schmucks to cram it.
Revenue enhancements. Anyone who proffers such ought to be run out of town. Spending is out of control, primarily due to exorbitant personnel costs. I frankly don't care if it's done via layoffs or reduced benefits or eliminating pay increases, but personnel costs have to be lowered. The unions are all but guaranteeing a Johnson victory this fall with their greed.
It's gotten bad in Saratoga Springs when we need to contact the city of Schenectady and have them fill us in on how corrupt the department of public works has gotten. Horatio, if you have proof of this rampant corruption, then why haven't you present it at a city coucil meeting? Your the king of half truths. You'll put a little truth in there and mix it with your bullshit. Simply put, you are a coward who hides behind your joke of a blog.
9:55,
Touché. You've got me. I'm just trembling at my keyboard, spewing lies to the public; beating up on the poor, defenseless unions. Guilty as charged!
By the by, do you read much? Probably not. Where did I mention the city of Schenectady's public works? Or where did I mention the city of Schenectady? Or public works? Hmm...Let's go back to the video tape shall we?
Quoth I:
"I would implore you to look into CSEA. The organization itself is rife with corruption. Just ask neighboring Schenectady County about how highly regarded this organization is."
You dumb union fuck. Go back to needling politicos so you can get a free ride on my back, and the backs of all the other hard workers in this county. Maybe one of these days, you'll pick up a paper and learn something. Or better yet, maybe you'll learn how to read. Then maybe you'll be able to comprehend what I'm writing, instead of looking at the pretty pictures.
horatio, aren't you the guy who gave mctygue a free ride for so long?
A free ride? Where? What am I a taxi service? Tom McTygue's a big boy, I'm sure he can find his own rides.
Now if you're talking about my approach to McTygue, I think it's been well-documented. But in the event you missed it, I'll repost it here.
To quote:
"For 16 terms now, the Spa City’s electorate has affirmed McTygue’s job, even though there have long been allegations of corruption, coercion and conduct unbecoming of an elected official. Simply, put, he is the white whale and there hasn’t been an Ahab in more than three decades to take him down."
That doesn't sound too much like a free ride to me. And even if you do construe it that way, it makes no difference anyway. He's not in office anymore. Instead, we have a guy who was endorsed by CSEA and seems unwilling to bridge the gap between the city's stance and the union's demands; kind of like the abomination we have in the Public Safety Department.
Isn't the Mayor Johnson handling all contract negotiations with the Unions? Johnson has this authority from the City Charter and it's his right to conduct negotiations as he sees fit. I don't see where Kim and Scirocco have any say at all in this matter. Additionally, Kim has made it very clear he's frustrated about his lack of involvement in the new Police contract negotiations. Instead of taking shots at both side, it would be prudent to let the contract negotitions continue and if they end up going to arbitration so be it.
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