CSEA to Astorino: Enough with the Lies!
County union officials accuse County Executive Robert Astorino of not being forthcoming during contract negotiations.
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WHITE PLAINS – Leaders of CSEA, the largest union representing Westchester County employees, Tuesday called on County Executive Rob Astorino to stop lying to residents and the media about CSEA’s role in the 2012 county budget process.
Union officials gathered on the steps of the Michaelian Office Building for a news conference Tuesday morning where they set the record straight about statements Astorino has made about CSEA and the budget process in recent weeks, namely Astorino’s professions that CSEA rejected a proposal that would save county jobs. Astorino has called for 210 CSEA layoffs in his proposed 2012 budget.
“It takes a tremendous amount of arrogance for Astorino to go on a national television program and lie about something that impacts so many lives,” said CSEA Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo.
Riccaldo was referring to Astorino’s recent appearance on the Fox Business Channel program “Power and Money,” where Astorino said CSEA rejected his “Jobs for Savings” proposal and instead chose to accept layoffs. That statement is untrue, Riccaldo said.
“If Rob Astorino was really the taxpayer crusader he portrays himself to be, he would have brought this ‘Jobs for Savings’ proposal to contract negotiations,” Riccaldo. “As it stands, our negotiating committee has met 10 times with the county and we’ve yet to see this proposal. How can Astorino say we’ve rejected his plan when he’s never directed his labor negotiators to present it to us?”
It’s especially disingenuous for Astorino to continue his lie about “Jobs for Savings” because many residents are unfamiliar with public sector contract negotiations and the county budget process, noted CSEA Westchester County Local President John Staino.
“He’s pitting the public against the county workforce by lying about the budget process,” said Staino. “Most people aren’t familiar enough with the negotiations process to know that the only way CSEA could consider any proposal is if it were brought to the table. Astorino has gone to the media, to community groups, and even on a conference call with county residents, but he’s never bothered to submit the proposal in the only venue where it could actually be considered.”
Astorino’s constant union-bashing and barbs at the county workforce have created a toxic atmosphere for the budget process and damaged worker morale at a time when the county workforce is already stretched thin, said CSEA Westchester County Unit President Karen Pecora.
“Think of the DSS worker who already is struggling to deal with a pile of cases, who now has to worry about losing her own job on top of meeting the needs of her clients,” said Pecora. “It’s not so easy for our members to go to work each day knowing that the county executive has poisoned the general public on the value of the work they do, but our members continue to do the best they can and serve the people of this county.”
The CSEA Westchester County Unit represents 3,300 full time Westchester County employees. CSEA members repair and maintain county roads, treat county wastewater, operate county labs, administer social services, oversee planning, run information technology services, and facilitate affordable recreational opportunities through the county parks system. CSEA members play an integral role in quality of life in Westchester County.
Aidan
6:12 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Anyone who doesn't acknowledge the burden imposed by union benefits on the tax-paying public is allergic to reality.
Blue
7:42 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Well said. I consider my health care above average costing my co $15K per year of which I pay 20%. Their packages cost over 25K a year of which I pay 100%
Bjorn Olsson
12:59 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I can see how it is upsetting to workers who have to pay for a large chunk of their health benefits, have no pension etc, to read about other who have a better deal. But why does it seem like the conclusion always is that the ones better off have to come down to your level? Shouldn't we strive towards a society where we ALL can afford basic health insurance, have some security for old age AND a living wage? Why do so many seem so passionate about winning this race to the bottom?
Bob Zahm
5:19 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
@Bjorn - this isn't about trying to bring someone down, but rather applying basic economics. Having employees pay a percentage of the premium for their healthcare along with a co-pay creates an incentive for the employee to manage their use of services. Without that incentive, the use (and cost) goes up faster than with the incentive. Simple economics. In an ideal world, employers (govt or not) would be out of this loop and employees would buy insurance up to the level they could afford / want - kind of like homeowners, renters, life, etc.
Bjorn Olsson
5:36 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Bob, I don't see how paying for part of your premium would make you use health services less, I would imagine it would rather fuel an urge to really "make sure I get my money's worth." Co-pay per visit is a separate issue and not really part of this discussion. I do agree that it makes no sense that your health insurance should be tied your job, for several reasons. I reach a different conclusion, however, since I believe a single payer system like other western nations have, or for that matter like Medicare, would be a much better, more efficient solution.
I bet that if you asked corporations abroad if they would prefer to take over health insurance from the government, the reply would be a unanimous: "never on your life!"
Greg
7:19 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Worker morale? What baloney coming from the union heads. The private sector has faced constant job loss and still manage to do their work, so it's laughable reading these union crybaby comments. And they ARE unaffordable to the taxpayer. It's about time public unions understand they are killing the goose who pays their wages.
JJ
7:50 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I'd like to see the Port Chester Patch print a copy of these Union benefits so everyone could view them and make their own decision.
Is that possible? That would put all of this speculation to bed once and for all (I hope).
Print the benefits so we can all see what the issue is.
Scotty
9:21 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Let's go Ken Jenkins....a politician who will treat all county workers with respect but will get the county in shape without lying and deceiving the public. One term Robby is out next year, and take all of your well paid , do nothing , cronies with you.
TTH
11:05 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
King Andy, Ken Jenkins and the rest of the dems are the reason the county is nearly bankrupt. Keep up the good work Rob!!!
LMP
11:08 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Has the CSEA really been forthcoming with the truth to residents and their governments?
Unions have had their place protecting some workers. Now many Unions have gone way overboard in what they are taking from non-unionized taxpayers, and Union leaders are often benefiting even more than their members.
County Executive Astorino is on the right track trying to achieve fairness and balance and leading the County to adapt to what all its people can afford now and for the future.
Nummy
4:54 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
What's fair every one make 7.95 an hour ?
LMP
11:20 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Consider an "Opinion" Section for "Patch". "Citizen Journalism" is very valuable. But there is a difference between "user generated news" and such "writings" as Publishers' Editorials, "Op-Eds" and "User ("written") Opinions pieces. The difference between "News" and "Opinion" deserves to be distinguished in the current equivalent of a "newspaper" (e.g. "Patch") by more than an "Editor's Note", just as it has been when newspapers were (are) printed on paper.
Maryellen Howard
11:28 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
As a county worker who has been working for 23 years I would like to state to FACTS
I DO NOT MAKE $62k a year - Astorino is proposing we chip in 27% to 31% to benefits!! The "managers" that I work for who make much more contribute 15%. I also pay for my own salary as a tax payer, I understand the frustration but Astorino seems to blame us - the workers, the grunts for all the problems - this is not so. AND since I have been here 23 years I feel that I can speak for myself not for every worker, I work hard every day, and took this job 23 years ago with the intent that I may be not making as much as the private sector $40K more - I had my benefits...so I took a pay cut, how am I supposed to pay for my benefits and still not get a cost of living increase? Please don't believe all that Astorino is saying - his numbers are way off..
Blue
2:48 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Maryellen,
I sympathize with you but you are one of the remaining few who get screwed these days. Started on at lower pay for better benefits and worked hard for it. But unfortunately the world we live in is not the same. The reality is that the unions have succeeded in increasing not only the benefits ( which are better than 90% of the private sector) but also getting wages up to and above private sector workers WITH the same skill set. If you make 35K a year I can guarantee that no worker in the private sector gets a benefit package like yours. I don't begrudge you for it . But you must realize it isn't free. The taxpayers pay for it and you have a contract that guarantees it. That is unsustainable and I'm sorry. If a company can't afford its labor costs it reduces headcount or cuts costs. Public sector in 2011 must start doing the same. Which do you want?
Hank Freeman
1:58 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Seems to Patch - like its idol the NYT - confuses news with opinions. I'm outta here.
Maryellen Howard
4:06 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I understand Blue - really I do, but 31% - to start with??? by the time I retire what will it be then??? And my salary not going any higher in the next 10 years (yes that is his proposal to us) Scary - I know, it is for everyone, but I just want the public to know that this is what is on the table - at this point. We will see - I do not for one minute expect to get free this and free that forever - I understand the economy but when someone is asking you to give that kind of percentage you have to think twice and say hold on one minute. For the record I make MUCH LESS than a person in the public sector with my background and years of service, we are not taking about 10K we are talking ALOT more than that, and I am not complaining but I want people to know that I am not making this fantastic salary and crying the blues (LOL) I am just trying to inform the public as to my personal story so that the public knows that some of the statements made by Astorino are seriously fabricated.
Bob Zahm
5:21 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
When you agree to the principal - pay for a percentage of the premium - then you can have a rational discussion about the level.
Blue
7:29 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Maryellen you seem like the most reasonable union employee ever on this board. Thank you for the insight to your side.
Maryellen Howard
9:10 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Thank you Blue, I appreciate that. We will see what happens..