CSEA, county discuss contract

CANTON — St. Lawrence County and Civil Service Employees Association Local 8400 officials held a mediation session Wednesday to work toward a new union contract.

"The parties are recognizing that it's a difficult climate for everybody — employees and employers. They're having rational, unemotional discussions. I think that's very positive," said Donald E. Mesibov, Public Employment Relations Board mediator.

CSEA declared impasse this summer. County Administrator Karen M. St. Hilaire said in July that a major sticking point was health benefits for part-time workers. Union members, she said, objected to a proposal that employees work at least half-time to get health benefits.

Betty J. Thomas, CSEA president, said she could not give details about what is being discussed.

"Both sides have more information that we're going to gather and we'll be meeting with the county and the union. After that process, we'll contact the mediator again," she said. "I think it's important that both sides are still talking."

Ms. St. Hilaire said Wednesday's mediation session was productive.

"We're hopeful," she said. "Our communication lines were opened up, and we've agreed to continue to talk."

CSEA's last three-year contract expired Dec. 31, and employees are still working under the terms of that agreement.

Mr. Mesibov said mediation can help both sides reach a deal, but there is no guarantee that it will result in a new contract.

"In the end, the two parties have to agree," he said.

If mediation fails to resolve the dispute, a PERB fact-finder could be enlisted to conduct a formal hearing and recommend a remedy, Mr. Mesibov said.

"But the recommendations are not binding. The hope is the parties will accept it or will work out an agreement around those recommendations, but there's really nothing in the Taylor Law that provides finality," he said.