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Thread: Police contract negotiations in arbitration; what would the taxpayer consider a fair

  1. #16
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    Nogods is correct - the same group that has fed contracts, rezones and jobs to its loyal supporters - the Lan Dem Employment Agency.

    The one dominated by Town tax funded employees and their families - the ones who share all the tax funded summer jobs, Youth Bureau, Senior Center, Highway Department and Parks jobs/appointments . As further evidenced by the fact they will be endorsing them, passing out flyers for them, standing at the polls promoting Lan Dem Candidates > You'll see ! Ask the person knocking on your door where they or their spouse works - I dare you !

    You are correct the same Party Candidates/incumbents who have steered all these tax funded cookies for over 70+/- years.

    Lan Dem Familia !
    #Dems play musical chairs + patronage and nepotism = entitlement !

  2. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by shortstuff View Post
    It is meant, when a disclaimer is stated-directed to the person stating it's a disclaimer which would be myself. Thinking I meant to indicate you is strange.
    Or generally posted to mean - "No offense guys" - or maybe when talking of Police contracts - Dont pull me over guys, I love what you do" = you know something like that !
    #Dems play musical chairs + patronage and nepotism = entitlement !

  3. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lee Chowaniec View Post
    The Lancaster police contract expired on 12-31-12. The police and town could not get together to resolve differences in all that time and the matter is now before an arbitrator who it is predicted will render a determination soon. It has been no secret that the police union has been reticent in agreeing to a town request that employees start contributing to their health insurance. As that has not been agreed upon the town has taken the position of no salary increases. And that stalemate has continued to this date.

    Council candidate Matt Walter has posted that the contract negotiations have lasted too long and that the police deserve a fair contract. Well, what should be considered a fair contract to the taxpaying residents when:

    • No police department employee contributes to his or her health insurance plan; a plan that costs the town $19,300 for a family plan and $12,000 for an individual. This is a plan that also covers dental and vision coverage and has a low co-pay formula. This is a plan many residents in the town don’t have themselves but are compelled to pay for.
    Since the last police contract expired in 2012, health care premium costs have increased by $95,000 (from $170,000 to $265,000).

    • Depending on Tier structure, the town contributes 29% of a police officer’s salary toward the NYS Retirement Fund. Although wages have not increased over the past 3+ years, the town is contributing $165,000 toward this fund than in 2012.

    • In the police department there are 49 sworn officers, 11 dispatch personnel, a clerk typist, a clerk stenographer and crossing guards. In total they earn $4.52 million. Every 1% in salary increase adds $45,200 to the budget.

    • Total cost for health coverage in 2015 = $320,000. Every 1% contribution to health coverage would decrease the budget by $3,200.

    • A 10% contribution to the health insurance program would not even compensate for a 1% increase in salary.

    And when the taxpayer considers

    The $10 million bonded for and the outstanding interest rate that will have to paid out on that loan over 30 years to build a new police/courts building and shooting range

    All the perks/stipends the police receive:

    Longevity Pay - 83,750

    Police drive each other to and from work

    .109 Court Pay
    .110 Shift Command Pay
    .111 Education Incentive Pay
    .113 Shift Command Pay - Detectives
    .115 Retirement & Other Sell Backs
    .116 Shift Equalization Pay
    .117 Clothing Allowance - Police
    .147 Clothing Allowance - Dispatchers
    .118 Field Training Officer Pay0
    .119 Briefing Pay - Dispatchers
    .121 Briefing Pay - Police
    .122 Holiday/Comp Time/PL Sell Back - Police
    .123 Holiday/Comp Time/PL Sell Back - Dispatch
    .124 Holiday Bonus Pay - Police
    .125 Holiday Bonus Pay - Dispatch
    .127 PSD Trainer Pay
    .134 FLSA Bonus Overtime
    .137 Provision for 2nd & 3rd Shift Differential
    .141 EMT Certification
    142 CFR/Defibrillation

    he or she has to hope the town (taxpayer) doesn’t get the short end of the stick; that there is an outcome that favors the best interests of the community as a whole.
    Huge payroll for a town our size. Why do we need 49 officers? I could understand it if we had a huge crime rate.

    In any case, ALL of our town employees should contribute to their health care.

  4. #19
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    Still waiting for some disclosure on the police contract. Was told at the last town board meeting (two weeks ago) that the settlement would take place in the matter of a few day as it was before the arbitrator.

    Still cannot understand why this late in the negotiation process the taxpayer has no right to Fact Finding disclosure. Why shouldn’t the residents become privy to what both sides are asking for and come to the determination whether it is a fair contract in that resident best interests are served as well as the police’s (and any other town union that will piggy back on this outcome).

  5. #20
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    There is no legal or legit reason taxpayers cant know. When I worked for the UAW - we got weekly reports during the negotiations - we even received handouts to give other employee.

    Taxpayers deserve the right to know !
    #Dems play musical chairs + patronage and nepotism = entitlement !

  6. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lee Chowaniec View Post
    Still waiting for some disclosure on the police contract. Was told at the last town board meeting (two weeks ago) that the settlement would take place in the matter of a few day as it was before the arbitrator.

    Still cannot understand why this late in the negotiation process the taxpayer has no right to Fact Finding disclosure. Why shouldn’t the residents become privy to what both sides are asking for and come to the determination whether it is a fair contract in that resident best interests are served as well as the police’s (and any other town union that will piggy back on this outcome).
    There's still nothing on the PERB site. http://www.perb.ny.gov/factfind.asp

    Georgia L Schlager

  7. #22
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    see post #6

    Lancasters tax payers should have been made aware of the items at impasse before they were sent to arbitration.

    This is a result of "Past Practice" created by the Giza/Stempniak era.

    These people were so used to playing this game - they would tell residents who questioned them at Town Board Meetings - "WE cant by law discuss such things" - a blatant untruth.

    When the finance minister routinely built raises and benefit increases into prior budgets - it was quite obvious the "Ability to pay" was already there before they even started negotiating (Tax Funded Dog and Pony Show)

    - Again - when the majority of Players are all part of the same team - can you say "Collusion"
    Last edited by 4248; August 30th, 2015 at 03:01 PM.
    #Dems play musical chairs + patronage and nepotism = entitlement !

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