November 16, 2011:

To all CSEA Unit 9200 members:

On November 15^th, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino released the 2012 budget.  He cut out many programs and proposed 210 layoffs of workers, most of them CSEA members.

Mr. Astorino stated that the layoffs are a direct result of the unions, specifically CSEA, not agreeing to a small contribution to our health benefits, as all private sector employees and other state and municipal CSEA members are already doing.    He is using this tactic to divide and conquer the workforce.  He has Commissioners and other bosses gathering up the employees who are targeted for jobs cuts, and telling them that their jobs are being cut because “the union” is not negotiating.   He also demeans County employees by implying that we do not deserve our current pay as he recites statistics regarding private sector salaries in Westchester. 

The fact is that we have been in negotiations with the county for the past few months; as we have witnessed in the past, negotiations take a very long time, as there are other issues to negotiate in addition to our health benefits.  We have historically not been able to ratify a contract within 2 years of expiration.   He is using tactics to scare and cause panic among ourselves.  He forgets that the last agreement took almost 3 years and that we endured the period of highest costs due to the world record price of crude oil that pushed up food, gasoline, and other prices in 2006, 2007, and 2008. 

One thing we do agree on is that County taxes only compose 15-20% (1/5^th) of the total Westchester property owner’s tax bill.

Westchester County workers DID NOT cause the economic crises; we are middle class taxpayers. On the contrary, middle class taxes were used to bail out the millionaires in Wall Street firms.   

We have never refused to meet with the County, and in fact have 2 sessions scheduled for this month. 

CSEA represents all of the lowest paid salaried workers in Westchester County.
His health care contribution demands will cost approximately $7,000 for a family plan.  That would be a $7,000 cut in pay. 
The present work rules, health insurance benefits, and other benefits we have are the result of 64 years of other CSEA 9200 Negotiating Teams working for the membership.  He wishes to remove many contract items and undo 64 years of progress. 
We have all been working hard since 2010 to do the added work of over 550 real workers who retired; he is hiring exempt cronies who do not have to take civil service exams as well as hiring friends of the appointed Commissioners.    

Of the 210 targeted positions, some are current CSEA 9200 officers, mine being one of them.  I have been a county employee for 21+ years; many of the targeted positions belong to long term employees (what ever happened to last in, first out)?  We believe this action, as well as Mr. Astorino’s statements, are a direct intent to bust the union.  Please don’t let this happen!!! 

One could say that placing the President of the union on the lay-off list is coercion and blackmail.  If the President caves on other issues to save her job, they will also win by badly tarnishing the image of CSEA after they leak out that our President caved on issues to save her job.  
Blackmail, as I said.

In the last 2 years, CSEA members have been challenged by the county executive to submit ideas to contribute to the solution of the budget woes.  Our members are well educated, intelligent individuals that have ideas and solutions that can save the county millions upon millions of dollars as soon as next year.   The County wants nothing to do with our ideas, and in fact has done everything to disregard any idea we might have for substantial savings, including disciplinary actions. 
The County Executive sees only one way to save money: LAYOFFS!!

We, the union, all of us, must stand together to protect our jobs and our livelihood.  It may not be you this year, but it may be next year. Now is the time to stand together in solidarity.  We must reach out to the legislators and ask them for help. 

We are asking all CSEA members, all union members, and their families, to attend all public budget hearings.  Write a short 3 minute speech, explain what you do for the public; explain you are a taxpayer and resident of Westchester County and no one will benefit from 1 layoff, much less 210.  Speak to the legislators, and the public, explain to them what you do. 

THIS IS YOUR JOB NOW!  Speak on your behalf, or speak on behalf of coworkers at the 3 public hearings to save your jobs.
YOU are the Union and Now is the time to act and become active.

Your union officers / negotiating team heard from many members, and we understand that you expect your officers to do whatever it takes to avoid layoffs.  That is what we are doing; negotiating with the county IN GOOD FAITH to reach a contract that will save our jobs. 
Let’s not forget we have the entire contract to negotiate, not just the one issue the county is focusing on, our health benefits. 
Forcing us to rush into a contract without addressing all of the important issues that affect our membership, for the sole reason of balancing a budget strictly on our backs with health care contributions, is NOT negotiating in good faith.  

The county executive and the department heads are trying to instigate the members to rally against the Negotiations team.  If there is fighting amongst the rank and file, it is easier for the county to get what they want. 

We are asking you to stand with us in solidarity to fight these layoffs. 
It’s an old cliché but this still works:  UNITED WE STAND! DIVIDED WE FALL!!

Our next step is to exercise our rights as employees AND taxpayers by attending the Public Budget Hearings and addressing our representatives on the Board of Legislators.  Tell them how important the work you do is to ALL taxpayers in Westchester County, and that we will not be coerced into taking the fall with what amounts to huge pay cuts to solve economic issues that we did not cause.

 - The Southern Westchester County Regional Public Hearing on the 2012 Budget will take place on Tuesday, November 22^nd at New Rochelle High School, 265 Clove Road, New Rochelle at 7 PM.

 - The Northern Westchester County Regional Public Hearing on the budget will take place on Wednesday, November 30^th at Somers High School, 120 Primrose Street, Lincolndale at 7 PM.

 - On Tuesday, December 6^th, the third and final Regional Public Hearing on the 2012 Budget will take place in the BOL Chambers on the 8^th Floor of the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains at 7PM.

Yours in solidarity,

Karen Pecora

Karen Pecora, President
CSEA Unit 9200