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Election season nears
As I pointed out yesterday, in the depths of August, it's easy to forget that there is a city election just around the corner.
I was reminded of this today when talking with Mayor Scott Johnson about the status of union negotiations. The short version of the story is that negotiations with the largest union, CSEA-DPW has stalled, as the city waits for DPW to file for fact finding.
The city has been waiting for the union to take this step since May.
Johnson said he hoped the union was waiting until after November's election, thinking they might get a better deal, should Democratic candidate Ron Kim get elected Mayor.
"At the end of the day," said Johnson, "I think it's going to be me sitting across the table."
Read the full story this weekend.
I was reminded of this today when talking with Mayor Scott Johnson about the status of union negotiations. The short version of the story is that negotiations with the largest union, CSEA-DPW has stalled, as the city waits for DPW to file for fact finding.
The city has been waiting for the union to take this step since May.
Johnson said he hoped the union was waiting until after November's election, thinking they might get a better deal, should Democratic candidate Ron Kim get elected Mayor.
"At the end of the day," said Johnson, "I think it's going to be me sitting across the table."
Read the full story this weekend.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
6:50 PM
14 Comments:
Mayor Johnson "sitting across the table" from city unions? That would be front page news! For over a year, he's been spending big bucks on Republican lawyers from Albany. They've been at the table while Johnson relaxed in Florida. And they've accomplished nothing, except stonewalling the unions, running the meter on their $250 an hour fees, and gobbling up taxpayer dollars that could have funded a reasonable settlement with the unions a long time ago.
Scott Johnson hasn't gotten the job done. Plain and simple.
To date, the city has paid $34,592 to the law firm Harris Beach for services relating to the union negotiations.
However, Mayor Johnson sat on many of the sessions. At this point, negotiations with CSEA-DPW are stalled because the union has not filed for fact finding.
While it is true that Johnson has not yet delivered new contracts, I don't think it's fair to put the blame solely on him.
Plus, they EARNED $35,000 if that money prevented a crappy (for the taxpayer) contract from "getting done".
Contract law isn't simple. Having a lawyer represent the city (taxpayer) isn't a bad idea necessarily.
Why did the dept. of public Works make the residents of Gibert rd pay for their water line,and just up the road they ran a water to house by Reatta Veiw for free,why hasn't Scirrocco told the city council about plans to run a 12 inch main over the bridge and sell water to town of saratoga,some get it free some have to pay why,more political favors,whats going on in dpw.These actions are totally against city policy.What's up Andrew with that?
anon 12:14 p.m.:
There are several water districts in the city, including the new one on Gilbert Road, the idea being that the users of the new water line should bear more of the cost than other city residents who will not be served.
I do not know why Reatta View residents are not in a water district, but I will look into it. Are you sure it was the city and not a private contract?
As far as the 9P bridge over Fish Creek, that project is a State DOT project, and as such, the city has no real role. The only main that I know of on the bridge is a sewer main, which is operated by the county, not the city. If you other information, please call me at 583-8729 x219, or email abernstein@saratogian.com
Johnson's failure to get the unions to agree to new contracts means the terms of the old contracts have automatically continued in effect. If he doesn't start bargaining in earnest, the unions will never have any incentive to come to an agreement.
The Republican lawyers Johnson spent $35,000 on obviously aren't getting the job done. Neither is he. When he ran for election, he said he was a lawyer. Unfortunately, we now know that he isn't a very good one. Not a very good mayor either. Time for him to go.
i'm confused, why would anon 12:14 ask this administration about regatta view? wasn't that under the last admin?
The $35,000 in legal fees is old news. Ask the Finance and Accounts commissioners for an update. Looks more like $50,000 and counting.
anon 11:40: That number was provided to me on Wednesday, and I have been assured that it is the latest number, as of Harris Beach's last bill, which makes sense since negotiations are stalled.
Of course, it is possible that there has been some work going on, but a bill has not yet been submitted.
Why are scirroco and Johnson holding up the union bargaining? I guess the republicans are staying together on this one.
you skipped right over the fact there is a hose from a hydrant to a house near Regatta View. Skippy has to be aware of this aware of this and as such he will need to be held accountable! If not than who put the DPW horse in front? Skippy needs to answer for this ASAP. Isn't it against the law to steal water? The rest of us pay for it! I would like an answer and as a taxpayer am entitled to one. Skippy??? Where is the "public" in Public Works. Talk about the back room deals!!
The latest is Scirroco and Johnson are backers of the Recreation Center. Here we go! Election time is starting. Ed Miller will pull a big upset.
I beleive that the people at Regetta View are paying for the water. They have a meter for sewer. There wells have gone bad and they need water and beleive me all of the right people have been notified.
lameduck council
you've got to be kidding right? johnson is going down on his own, in regards to the rec center. i'm not sure what kind of embellishments you're talking about. also i guessed you missed the news flash, where johnsom hasn't let any of the commissioners anywhere near a negotiation. embellish on friend
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