The unmitigated gall of union officials dictating how a municipality functions and meets the demands of tough economic times is appalling. The idea of paying 14 men whose jobs had been cut because of budget demands for lost wages because the work was done by convicts and volunteers, (unpaid labor), is absurd.
Taxpayers cannot afford to pay a price so a union boss can look good to his members and they shouldn't have to. I'm not a big Sotile fan, in fact I think he is the most incompetent Mayor the City of Kingston has ever had, but the truth is he made a few tough but necessary decisions. OK, they may have been 'no brainers' but the fact is he made them. The next mayor will have to make even more.
Pension Funds will become a thing of the past, so will exorbitant benefit packages and Cadillac Health plans and town supervisors and city mayors will have no choice but to fight union bosses to protect the future of their residents and the life of their municipalities.
I'm sure strikes will be threatened and work slowdowns promoted but with unemployment lingering around 10% for years to come, any such action would be self-destructive for the unions themselves.
The best way to protect the workers and residents alike is to revamp future contracts to reflect economic challenges and the reality of tough economic times.
I know Jim Quigley will no doubt have his battles with highway, sheriff and parks department employees and their union bosses, the truth is if the town goes broke, more and more jobs will have to be cut or lost, I hope these union leaders come to the table with a sense of reality rather than unrealistic expectations.
Although I do not disagree with your basic premise, the city has an obligation to uphold an agreed upon collective bargaining agreement. The city and the union signed it in good faith. If Sottile breaks that contract, there are legal ramifications. This is basic contract law. If one party does not adhere to the agreement, they are liable for the consequences.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that this union, and all unions should show some flexibility in these tough economic times. Their very survival depends on it.
11:08 You are assuming that the attorney for the city was so foolish as to allow a provision stipulating the city cannot use volunteers and unpaid labor, remember the workers laid off were not replaced with paid labor nor were the positions considered anything permanent.
ReplyDelete1:42, I am not assuming anything. In fact, I think you assumed that I was stating that the City did in fact break the contract. I think you read more into what I said than is there.
ReplyDeleteIf anything I said is incorrect, please point it out.