CSEA protests wage-freeze proposal
CANTON — More than 100 St. Lawrence County Civil Service Employees Association workers packed the state Supreme Court room Monday to demand that the Legislature abandon a proposal to freeze employee pay.
"Right now, you have county employees at the bottom of your priority list. We ask that you move them to at least the top three," said Betty J. Thomas, president of CSEA Unit 8400, flanked by workers carrying signs calling for a fair contract.
Contract talks soured earlier this year between the county and union, which has declared impasse and resorted to mediation.
A 2009 wage freeze is included in next year's proposed $222 million spending plan. Officials say it would save about $1.3 million in retroactive pay increases once contracts are settled. The wage freeze would affect three unions — CSEA Unit 8400, CSEA Unit 8247, representing Solid Waste Department workers, and Council 82, Local 2390, representing corrections officers.
Monday's CSEA demonstration coincided with the Legislature's annual ceremony honoring employees with at least 10 years of service.
"It's ironic that employees were recognized for years of service tonight. It would mean so much more if the board actually showed their appreciation by offering a fair contract settlement," she said.
Ms. Thomas said raising the county's 3 percent sales tax to 4 percent would fix the financial crunch.
"All of the surrounding counties already have a higher sales tax," she said. "Instead of property taxpayers seeing increases, sales tax is more evenly shared by all who travel or reside temporarily in St. Lawrence County."
Lawmakers did not respond to CSEA's requests Monday, and have not yet discussed the proposed wage freeze. Legislature Chairman Gregory M. Paquin, D-Massena, said he predicts that discussion will come later this month as 2010 budget deliberations draw to a close.
"By that time we should know where we are with the budget, what the tax rate is going to be, and then we can ask what to do about the wages," he said. "My hope is we can build something into this budget to bring back to the negotiating table."
