MONROE COUNTY DEMS URGE BROOKS ADMIN TO REMEDY CONTRACT DISPUTE; WORKERS WITHOUT CONTRACT SINCE DEC. 31, 2008

Rochester, N.Y. -- Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature have introduced two proposals earlier last month, in an effort to add accountability measures that would reform the way elected officials can legally receive a pay raise. The reform proposals would require that the public receive notice of any pay raise before it is passed and that the Compensation Committee approve of any pay raise before it is submitted to the Legislature. On March 27, the GOP majority nixed the idea-- basically to protect their agenda come hell or high water. Ironically, this comes at a time when most County workers have been on the job without a contract since December 31, 2008. 


With that in mind, the minority caucus fired off a letter last week to the Brooks Administration to advise her and her GOP colleagues that a fair contract for County employees should not be a partisan issue and at the same time, the hypocrisy over huge pay hikes for our County's top officials smacks of self-interest. Workers who are represented by CSEA and FSW will take to the streets one more time on April 17, rallying out in front of the Monroe County Office Building in downtown Rochester before the general meeting of the County Legislature. Right-minded folks of our area are encouraging the County Executive to return to the negotiating table and bargain in good faith-- something this administration has a hard time grasping.