CSEADeal Issues Remain

CANTON - St. Lawrence County lawmakers have approved a tentative contract with the Civil Service Employees Association, but some question whether the union will approve the deal and how long taxpayers can continue to afford raises for public employees.

"I don't know if the union is going to support this. I don't know if we're going to support this. It's going to be close all around," said Legislator Frederick S. Morrill, D-DeKalb Junction, at Monday's special Legislature meeting. "A lot of employees think it's not enough. A lot of taxpayers think it's too much. Sounds to me like we found ground in the middle."

The two-year, $1.16 million deal that expires Dec. 31 will give CSEA Local 1000, Unit 8400 members a one-time $750 payment as soon as the union ratifies the contract, and a 1 percent salary increase retroactive to Jan. 1 for all employees hired before July 1, 2009.

Starting Dec. 31, CSEA members are asked to contribute 10 percent of the cost of single health coverage, 15 percent for dependent coverage, and 20 percent for family coverage. Payment is deferred until the next contract is reached.

Once the union and county reach a new contract, health insurance contributions are retroactive to Dec. 31 and will be deducted from any pay increase in the next agreement.

Legislator J. Patrick Turbett, D-Potsdam, said terms in this agreement that affect a contract that has not yet been negotiated could cause problems down the road. All 15 lawmakers are up for election this year.

"We're pushing off realization of part of this agreement to the next Legislature, which really isn't fair," Mr. Turbett said.

Lawmakers approved the deal in an 11-4 vote. Mr. Turbett, David W. Forsythe, R-Lisbon, Joseph R. Lightfoot, R-Oswegatchie, and Peter W. FitzRandolph, D-Canton, opposed it.

Mr. FitzRandolph said tough times dictate that the county hold the line on spending.

"In the private sector, whether we're talking about unionized workers or not, everyone has significant problems," Mr. FitzRandolph said. "Unions are being asked to make concessions rather than getting raises. When people are losing their jobs and taking pay cuts, taxpayers who are not members of public employee unions are going to say enough is enough."

CSEA's last contract expired Dec. 31, 2008.

The union began distributing ballots last week, and members' votes will be tallied March 25.