This next step in the negotiations process was driven by the inaction of the County to put any real effort into negotiations at the last meeting on March 22nd. The CSEA team returned to negotiate a reasonable contract, one with terms both sides could agree to, the County only continued to demand concessions and made no response to any offer that might benefit the workforce.
“The County’s lack of interest in bargaining is the factor that brings us to where we are today”, stated CSEA Unit 7400 President Cris Zaffuto. “If they had come to the table with any effort whatsoever to work out an equitable deal, we could have continued to negotiate or even came up with a tentative agreement. Unfortunately, I believe their lack of action shows they just don’t care about the workers, despite all the ‘praise’ they have publicly gave workforce”. Zaffuto added, “We believe the Fact-finding will be in our favor and the County has the economic ability to correctly compensate the county workforce, whose only purpose is for the betterment of the community”.
As a reminder, this is how the Factfinding process works. PERB appoints a neutral Factfinder (mediator) to meet with both parties. It is a somewhat more formal process, where both parties meet with the Factfinder and then submit written briefs (similar to legal briefs) and research documentation supporting their positions and proposals. At the end of this stage, the Factfinder will make a written recommendation that is given to both sides. This report is not binding and can be rejected by either side. The Factfinder’s report is usually released publicly once both parties have had an opportunity to review it. This process can also take several months to complete.
CSEA Unit 7400 has agreed to remain optimistic and has pledged to meet with the County at any time during this process if the County wants to fairly negotiate.
Important dates to remember:
Monday April 25th, 5:30 - Unit 7400 Contract Negotiations Mobilization Taskforce Meeting, Rochester Satellite Office Please call 328-5250 to confirm attendance!
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| Photo by: R.Leonard, LRS |
Thursday May 12th, 5:30pm - General Membership Meeting, Diplomat Banquet Center, Lyell Ave. Please call 328-5250 to confirm attendance!
CSEA Unit 7400 Leadership thanks all members for their continued involvement and will continue to keep all members up to date on the contract situation. Reminder: Get up to date info at the Unit 7400 Blog at http://unit7400.blogspot.com/
Most public employees make less than private sector wages, particularly at the higher levels. Public sector benefits have been quite good to make up for this and to attract better workers, but these have been eroding for years. Monroe County is not broke and afford to give us a fair contract.
ReplyDeleteWake up folks: anyone who tells you that they are going to run your local, county, state or federal government like a business should be avoided as if they had kooties, because they probably do. You can not run governments as a business. It will never work. Governments are not meant to be profit driven enterprises. They are suppose to serve the people, not make profit off of them! Need more proof? Just look around you then! Our country is in the toilet after 30 years of government run like a business!
ReplyDeleteThe word public has become the latest expletive. Public schools, public transportation, public housing, public utilities etc. are all under attack and unless vigorously defended will be swept away. Keep up the good fight: WE NEED YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat do I think ?? I think my fellow union members were VERY foolish to vote down (2) contract offers that were fair considering the tough economic times...Now we will get nothing !
ReplyDeleteYou say we can comment but only if you approve of the comment.
ReplyDeleteThat is correct; this is a moderated discussion. We can not tolerate negative anonymous attacks on past union officers and decisions that were made years ago. It serves no relevant purpose. We also filter out useless spam or irrelevant off topic comments. As you well know, we encourage all opinions and comments at out open union meetings held throughout the county. We also block out the right-wing advocates who want to remove our collective bargaining rights as they have other venues to air their views.
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Thanks for giving us a place to vent. How is it that every other CSEA Member in every other County has gotten retroactive pay and we have not? I really don't feel we should settle unless the County does the right thing and negotiates back pay to at least 1/1/09. Thanks for listening.
ReplyDeleteNursing staff at Monroe Community Hospital are clearly underpaid. The County has it in it's power to ensure that quality care continues and to maintain Monroe Community Hospital as the premiere long term car facility in Western New York. We ask our union to keep the County's feet to the fire and get us a good contract.
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