NYT JUMPS THE GUN; CSEA HAS ALWAYS BEEN READY AND WILLING TO NEGOTIATE

NYT pay freeze report misleading

Albany, N.Y.-- Some media reports and blogs concerning Governor Andrew Cuomo seeking a pay freeze for state employees have been extremely misleading and are just pure speculation at this time.  It also appears that many reporters in NY political circles can't even tell the difference between the real "tweets" from the fake "tweets" of Governor Cuomo. 

Right now, susceptible New Yorkers are being unduly informed by an unprecedented level of ignorance and stupidity by media outlets across New York State about unions, union-management relationships, the process of collective bargaining, contract negotiations and the Taylor Law.

There has been no formal proposal for such a plan to freeze salaries right now, only vague political rhetoric coming out of Albany and New York City. CSEA has made it clear for months that there is a significant difference between issues brought to the bargaining table for negotiation in good faith and extraordinary unilateral actions that may not be legal. To date, indications are that the new Cuomo administration intends to bargain in good faith with CSEA and other public employee unions.

At issue here is a NYT report and a New York Daily News article that implies Governor Cuomo will seek a one-year salary freeze for state workers as part of an emergency financial plan he will lay out in his State of the State address on Wednesday January 5.  The NYT seems to be giving Cuomo the ok to pick a fight with rank and file public employees, the very people that deliver the high quality of services New Yorkers need now more than ever. 

In the article, The NYT could only produce vague citation references like, "senior administration officials said."  Those are code words for: "speculation," "conjecture," "we don't know for sure but we expect" and "we want to create a narrative that fits our agenda so we hope people like you will keep reading and believing our drivel." 

Cuomo's State of State Address will come days after the New Year’s Eve layoffs of more than 900 state workers, an event that CSEA and PEF marked with a candlelight vigil on the steps of the Capitol and outside government offices in five other cities around the state.

The immediate budget savings from any freeze would be relatively small — between $200 million and $400 million against a projected deficit in excess of $9 billion.  Most sane economic experts believe that laying off workers is counterproductive in a recession.

Any freeze or change in salary would be subject to contract negotiations

Of course, a freeze — which Cuomo promised he would seek during his campaign — would be subject to negotiation with the unions. Labor contracts for the vast majority of the state’s 190,000 employees, including CSEA expire on March 31, 2011.

On Sunday January 2, CSEA said that our union was open to discussions with the Governor, but was uncomfortable with any unilateral demands.

“There’s a significant difference between negotiating in good faith, and issuing some kind of edict that may or may not be legal,” said Stephen Madarasz, CSEA spokesman. “It’s really all based on what action follows.”

Unions face unfair political pressure;  public deserves clarity not punditry

Public-sector unions around the nation are unfairly facing growing political pressures not only from Republicans but also from the media and their traditional allies -- the Democrats -- as governors grapple with a recession, declining tax revenues and funding a growing demand for government services.  Despite conservative lawmakers and the business community wanting to get their hands on the pensions of the public employees, NYS Comptoller Tom DiNapoli says New York State's pension system is one of the highest rated in the nation and will not be compromised while he is in office.

In November, following the Republican takeover of the House, President Obama ordered a two-year salary freeze for civilian federal workers, subject to Congressional approval.

On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo is also expected to call for a constitutional cap on state spending that would limit growth to the rate of inflation and for a budget that does not raise corporate, personal income or sales taxes, echoing proposals he made on the campaign trail. He will also repeat his call for a cap on the growth of local property taxes.

But Cuomo, who enjoyed a fair relationship with labor and was endorsed by the Public Employees Federation last year, is hoping that unions will join him in the effort to fix the state’s budget problems. A few moths ago, he sent copies of, The Man Who Saved New York, a biography of former Gov. Hugh L. Carey, to union leaders which recounts how Mr. Carey, a Democrat, teamed up with labor leaders in similar fashion in the 1970s.  It was a move right out of his father's playbook.

At the same time, a duplicit Cuomo has signaled that he is ready to fight unions in the court of public opinion by asking the business community to give him additional financial support for advertising. After his victory in November, he kept a substantial campaign war chest on reserve to run his own ads to counter any union-backed television campaigns.  Cuomo is also deploying outside advisers to organize business interests into what he hopes will become a counterweight to labor: a new group known as the "Committee to Save New York."

Which Cuomo will show up on Wednesday at the State of the State? Cuomo the harmonious diplomat, looking for collaboration? Or, the uncompromising brawler, the guy who comes out swinging first and asks questions later?

Stay tuned to the Voice Reporter for an unfiltered examination of future developments and Andrew Cuomo's first ever State of the State Address on Wednesday, January 5.